Why Liverpool won't sell Origi in January
Liverpool fringe player Divock Origi looks set to stay at the club past January thanks to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Origi has never been able to establish himself as a first-team starter under Jurgen Klopp since he arrived from Lille in 2014.
The striker holds a cult following amongst the Anfield support after scoring memorable goals against Everton and Barcelona, and the second goal in the 2019 Champions League final win over Tottenham.
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But he finds himself down the pecking order on Merseyside behind Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and now Diogo Jota, who has fitted in seamlessly to the Liverpool frontline.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been linked with a move for the Belgian forward, who has made just two Premier League appearances from the bench.
Salah and Mane off to the African Cup of Nations
But with Salah and Mane likely to be away at AFCON for the majority of January, it presents Origi with a chance to impress in their absence.
Both Salah's Egypt and Mane's Senegal will be hoping to go deep into the tournament with the final due to be played on 6 February 2022.
That means Jota, Origi and possibly Takumi Minamino fighting for the two available attacking positions.
Jota is a cert to take one of those positions as is Firmino, leaving Origi and Minamino to battle it amongst themselves.
Manager Klopp already appears to be planning for the upcoming scenario, introducing Minamino during Saturdays 4-0 victory over Arsenal, where the Japanese star scored with his first touch.
Origi needs to leave Liverpool behind
Divot Origi has scored 38 times in a Liverpool shirt in 164 appearances.
Klopp likes to use the target man when the match requires him to go direct rather than the high intense fast-paced attack he prefers.
It is hard to see Origi being anything more than a bit-part player at Anfield and at just 26 years old, he could flourish at another Premier League club if handed the number nine jersey.
