Divock Origi aims for a starting role in Liverpool’s final run of games, as the club looks to finish in the top four for the first time since 2013/14.
The Belgian hit the final goal in the 3-1 Merseyside derby victory and now has his eyes on a major role within the first 11.
With Sadio Mané ruled out with injury for certainly the fixture against Bournemouth, and possibly for much longer, Origi looks like the perfect candidate to take his place in the starting XI.
The 21-year-old scored his first Premier League goal for three months against Everton on Saturday, having scored in the FA Cup during this barren spell. Roberto Firmino was preferred to the Belgian international for the grudge match at Anfield, although Origi entered the game on 57 minutes and found the back of the net just three minutes later.
The Anfield faithful have shown their admiration for the forward and have been largely impressed by his appearances since arriving at the club in 2015.
His efforts have however often come from the bench while his goal scoring contributions have mainly come from competitions outside of the league such as in FA and League Cup fixtures against somewhat lesser opposition. Origi has found the net nine times this season, with five coming in the Premier League, with three in the League Cup and one in the FA Cup.
Importantly, however, Origi has the best shots on target ratio of forwards at the club, joint with Daniel Sturridge on 66%. The statistic explains just how little the two strikers have appeared for the Reds this season, but more significantly that there is definite ability and potential within the towering forward.
Although he can be frustrating at times, with a tendency to over hold the ball and somewhat of a lack of focus, Origi has an undeniable potential to succeed for Liverpool. He has 32 efforts on goal in 1502 minutes of game time, with three assists to his name, and so, if given the chance to kick-start his Anfield career at home to Bournemouth tonight, he will need to adopt a similar role to that of the man he is replacing.
Mané is an invaluable asset to the Reds; with not only his goals but his link up play with the other attackers a vital element to the side’s success this season.
Origi therefore requires a flexible approach and must be willing to work for his team-mates if he has any chance of performing in such a fluid, attacking outfit.
With Adam Lallana also missing through injury, but with Sturridge back in contention, Jurgen Klopp has a huge call to make over which forward deserves a starting role in his team.
Liverpool are this season’s top scorers and have once again been let down by their poor defensive record, although the club have relied on varying goal scorers this campaign.
And so Origi looks set to be the latest man on the frontline for the Anfield side as their European hopes remain very much alive.