Liverpool Champions League hero Divock Origi faces an uncertain future at Anfield. The Striker, whose goals helped seal Liverpool’s dramatic Champions League semifinal second leg win over Barcelona, could leave Anfield this summer.
Origi has one season left on his current Liverpool contract and is unsure about signing a new deal with the club.
The Liverpool Champions League star has attracted plenty of admirers from around Europe following his tournament play. La Liga’s Real Betis are one club that have been linked with the Belgian.
Despite Origi’s brilliance in the second half of the season for Liverpool, he struggled for consistent playing time prior to January. Even then, Origi was used sparingly and only made Liverpool’s Champions League semifinal second leg starting XI thanks to Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah being sidelined with injuries.
New contract for Liverpool Champions League hero Origi
Liverpool are expected to offer Origi a new contract. However, the striker wants regular first-team football which could lead to his exit.
First-team football hasn’t been something he has found at Anfield and there is no guarantee Origi will find it elsewhere either.
According to the Echo, Liverpool are ready to “gamble” on Origi this summer and let him leave on a free transfer in 12 months. While it seems like a shortsighted view, Jurgen Klopp’s plans have worked out thus far and Daniel Sturridge’s and Alberto Moreno’s departures this summer went by with a whimper.
There is no guarantee Origi can repeat his successes in 2019-20 either. He will compete for a starting role in the front three. Yet, those positions are already held by Salah, Firmino, and Sadio Mane.
Should Liverpool retain Origi and let him walk for free in 12 months?
Klopp’s plan of keeping a known quantity instead of bringing in a fresh player to bed-in makes complete sense. Origi’s performances have earned him a chance to play further at Liverpool, but he must show he deserves it when the new season kicks off.
Had Liverpool not overturned their four-goal deficit to Barcelona with Origi scoring twice, few Reds supporters would worry about the striker’s contract coming to an end. Many would be okay with him departing. Twelve months ago, the number of Liverpool supporters excited for Origi’s return from loan at Wolfsburg would have been few and far between.
If Liverpool are let Origi leave this summer, they must do it by August 8th. The Premier League transfer deadline is less than two months away and right now, it looks likely Origi will be wearing Red next term.