Potential can be a dirty word - by Jason Harris

[tlw content]

It is a fair statement to say that the Liverpool career to date of Divock Origi has had its share of highs and lows. 

 

The club paid £10 Million for the Belgian youngster in the summer of 2014 from Lille, but opted to keep him in France to give him an extra season of first team football. 

 

When he eventually arrived on Merseyside a year later not an awful lot was expected from the Belgian, especially as he was named in French newspaper L'Equipe's worst team for the 2014/15 season. 

 

The early stages of last season saw Origi struggle to adapt to the tempo English Football. It was the arrival of Jurgen Klopp where we saw his strengths brought to light. A hat-trick in the fourth round League Cup rout against Southampton set the youngster on his way. 

 

Once 2016 came around, the confidence of Origi was clear to see as he was more accustomed to the league. While his Premier League performances were encouraging it was on the European nights where his star began to shine. 

 

Origi was surprisingly chosen ahead of Daniel Sturridge for the ties against Borussia Dortmund, but he grabbed the opportunity with both hands and led the line superbly in both fixtures. Many observers saw it as a coming of age moment as Origi was showing clear signs of thriving on the big stage and becoming the kind of striker that the fans would embrace. 

 

Having been tormented by a number of strongly built strikers over the years, the club now had one of their own with Origi displaying plenty of pace and power as well as a very high work ethic which is a non-negotiable for a member of a Jurgen Klopp’s side. 

 

After recovering from a late season ankle injury to play a minor role for his country in Euro 2016, it was thought that Origi would continue his growing momentum as a player and demand a starting role for the new league season. 

 

However opportunities were rare with new signing Sadio Mane playing a key role in the team's superb start to the season, and Klopp understandably was unwilling to change the makeup of the side. 

 

When he did play, the 21 year-old looked sluggish and all the spark he had displayed in the previously season seemed to have disappeared. However things were soon going to take a turn for the better for the young Belgian. 

 

The injury that Philippe Coutinho suffered against Sunderland at the end of November was undoubtedly a major blow for the team, however it was the opportunity that Origi had been waiting for. 

 

Klopp placed his trust in the striker to play a role in the starting lineup and he produced in kind, scoring five goals in as many games including four in the league, which included a fantastic all-round performance against Middlesbrough. 

 

This was the much-awaited return to form of the player that was a key to the team's success in Europe last season. With Origi in this kind of form, it made the Reds a more balanced team.

 

Disappointingly for all concerned, the hot streak dried up not too long after. 
 

This opinion piece on Daniel Sturridge touched on the fact that Origi had an opportunity to have a real impact when called upon in the second half of the season. Two months on from that article we are still waiting for him to snap out of his most recent malaise. 

 

Recently, when starting in the cup games or coming on as a late substitute (with the exception of his cameo against Arsenal), he has once again looked extremely sluggish and even disinterested at times. 
When he came on for the last twenty minutes against Man City, he was struggling to do basics such as keep hold of the ball and contesting aerial duels which is exactly the job you want your front man to do when playing away from home against a quality opponent. 

 

It is not that he can't do that role as he proved very capable of doing so in the Europa League, more worryingly is that it appears that he has lost the spark and the general want to do it. 

 

We know that the club doesn't have the deepest of squads, so it is down to the senior players to set the standard for the likes of the academy youngsters to follow. For a player like Origi to have such an inconsistent form line over a period of time is a great concern and it begs the question whether he actually has a future at the club. 

 

The club already has a player in Sturridge who has basically kissed any chance of a prolonged Liverpool career goodbye with his frequent injury battles and general disinterest for the Liverpool cause. In many ways it would be a crying shame for Origi to head down this same path. 

 

Potential is a word commonly mentioned when describing young players, but in truth it gives them an excuse to be inconsistent and lazy. Origi has undoubted potential but needs to think long and hard whether he wants to put in the hard yards for the club. As we approach one year since his standout moment in a Reds shirt to date, it is time for the striker to reach that level again and remain there. 

 

Mediocrity and inconsistency has been accepted for far too long in the case of certain players, and a ruthless streak must become evident if we want to achieve great things as a Football Club. 

 

If there is no improvement in the overall output of Origi in the last couple of months of the season, then the club should look to sell him. There will be a number of players on the market that would be able replace him and produce quality football on a weekly basis.
 

Jason Harris
@JayHarry80

[Russ Atmosphere]

Of what relevance is your last sentence?

[jimmycase]

Clearly looks like Origi has, or is beginning, to lose his way. Ive said before that I dont know if it is over coaching, expecting him to do more in his game that arent his strengths or simply over complicating things.

 

Apart from scoring, I always thought one of Origi's strengths was getting the ball, pushing it in front of him and running. He seems more intent on trying to take on and beat 2 or 3 men crowding him and frequently being disposessed.

 

The scoring instinct is still there, was it Arsenal or Burnley recently where his headed hit the post? Needs to get back to basics.

[Rotpeter]

Apart from scoring, I always thought one of Origi's strengths was getting the ball, pushing it in front of him and running. He seems more intent on trying to take on and beat 2 or 3 men crowding him and frequently being disposessed.

 

That's a sign of someone learning to try to play as part of a team, rather than for himself IMO.

[jimmycase]

That's a sign of someone learning to try to play as part of a team, rather than for himself IMO.

 

Which was why I said I wasnt sure if it is overcoaching. Im not sure playing to your strengths is a sign of someone playing for himself either.

 

Surely the fact is what he's now doing is dulling his strike return and losing the ball more frequently around the half way line resulting in the defence being put under pressure?

 

No one is suggesting not playing as part of the team is a bad thing. It's the lack of progress we should be concerned at.

[TheHowieLama]

Of what relevance is your last sentence?

 

It is an Op piece - that is his opinion.

[Captain Turdseye]

This writer has got dirty potential.

[Dr Nowt]

It is an Op piece - that is his opinion.

I do believe Russ may have been raising his eyebrow at the comical prospect of any such player transferring to LFC.

[Boss]

Can't we just give a player a bit of time? Last season he was a potential superstar, this season he's shit and we can't wait to sell him. How about letting the lad develop and see what happens? Development is not a linear process. 

[Rotpeter]

Which was why I said I wasnt sure if it is overcoaching. Im not sure playing to your strengths is a sign of someone playing for himself either.

 

Surely the fact is what he's now doing is dulling his strike return and losing the ball more frequently around the half way line resulting in the defence being put under pressure?

 

No one is suggesting not playing as part of the team is a bad thing. It's the lack of progress we should be concerned at.

Yeah, I have no idea if it's over-coaching or it's just what happens as part of adapting.  The coaches have more time than us to assess that than we do and one would hope they'll get rid if he's being lazy/crap.  On the other hand if he's just a slower learner then hopefully they have the patience he needs.

[jimmycase]

Yeah, I have no idea if it's over-coaching or it's just what happens as part of adapting.  The coaches have more time than us to assess that than we do and one would hope they'll get rid if he's being lazy/crap.  On the other hand if he's just a slower learner then hopefully they have the patience he needs.

 

Yeah agree with you.

[G Richards]

Origi needs to pull his finger out and improve. With that said, I think it would be a big mistake to sell him at this point. He could easily go on to be a very accomplished striker indeed. He doesn't have unlimited time to make his mark, but now is not the time to sell.

 

It is time to sell Sturridge and it is time to bring in a new striker. Origi should be one of the new group, and at that point it's up to him to force his way in or be a peripheral figure, but we've got a while yet before we need to be thinking about moving him on.

[VladimirIlyich]

Can't we just give a player a bit of time? Last season he was a potential superstar, this season he's shit and we can't wait to sell him. How about letting the lad develop and see what happens? Development is not a linear process.

Correct.

[Denny Crane]

He is an investment for the FSG consortium. He is maturing nicely in their eyes and will only leave when a nice return on investment occurs. They probably value him at around 30-35 million at the moment.

 

For me he's always looked out of sync with the team for us and Belgium when I caught the odd highlight. He probably needs regular football week in week out and on his present showing he has not done enough to get it here. It was always a daft move on his part to start with at his age.

[an tha]

Are we asking him to do a job for the side that he is not best suited to?

[smilezzz]

Loads of potential in this article.

[General Dryness]

I'll tell you what's a dirty word.

 

Crevice.

[3 Stacks]

There isn't a single young player in the history of football who became great by being given 10 minute sub appearances every week. That he isn't producing or putting in impressive performances at this point shouldn't be a surprise to anybody.

 

Whenever Origi gets a run of starts, he scores goals. He did it last year and he did it this year. I don't really know the reason why he isn't getting more opportunities, but if I were him, I'd look for a move. 

[VladimirIlyich]

There isn't a single young player in the history of football who became great by being given 10 minute sub appearances every week. That he isn't producing or putting in impressive performances at this point shouldn't be a surprise to anybody.

 

Whenever Origi gets a run of starts, he scores goals. He did it last year and he did it this year. I don't really know the reason why he isn't getting more opportunities, but if I were him, I'd look for a move.

Why should he look for a move? He's still young and has shown that with a run of games he can score goals and be key to the team. I'd suggest he keepa knuckling down and working so hard that his manager can ignore his contribution no more and plays him regularly.

Why does every dip in form have to lead to balloon heads talking about transfers?

[jimmycase]

There isn't a single young player in the history of football who became great by being given 10 minute sub appearances every week. That he isn't producing or putting in impressive performances at this point shouldn't be a surprise to anybody.

 

Whenever Origi gets a run of starts, he scores goals. He did it last year and he did it this year. I don't really know the reason why he isn't getting more opportunities, but if I were him, I'd look for a move. 

 

Id say it is because when he is in the team and not scoring, he's losing possession a lot and moves are breaking down. That's the impression I get watching him recently. Despite what any of us may say and think, the manager doesnt appear to think the overall contribution is even at the same level as other players he is selecting to start games.

 

We all know it is tough for players making 10 - 15 minute appearances as substitute to comprehensively change games. Unfortunately, that's what the have to do to get into the starting line up and then once they in the line up, they have continually show they are worth the starting berth the same as the rest.

 

David Fairclough is a classic example. Frequently came on in games and got decisive goals. When selected for the first team, I wouldnt say he didnt contribute as much as when he came on as sub but that's the impression people and Bob Paiseley probably got. 10 - 15 minutes explosive impact is hard to compare to a performance drawn out over 90 odd minutes.

[Kevin D]

The Colombain girl I saw last night charged me £70 for every utterance of "potential" and I think it was £560 well spent,

[William_Ulsterman]

In summation, he's shit get rid.