Following his superb hat-trick against Stade Rennais last weekend, LOSC Lille’s on-loan Liverpool man Divock Origi was expected to have a big impact against Saint-Etienne on Sunday.
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(Video) Saint-Etienne 2-0 Lille Ligue 1 Highlights: Stephanois move closer to Europe
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However, the Belgian striker flopped during the match and offered barely any attacking threat during the match.
Saint-Etienne were worthy winners and the 2-0 scoreline didn’t quite reflect the dominance of the Stephanois. While Origi faded, Max-Alain Gradel starred for the home side.
The Ivorian’s two goals come in stark contrast to Origi’s contribution – the soon-to-be Liverpool hitman didn’t manage a single shot during the match and was duly replaced by Kevin Koubemba with over 20 minutes still to play.
His performance will come as something of a concern to Brendan Rodgers should the Reds boss be expecting Origi to bag the Anfield outfit a hat-full in the Premier League next season.
Having ended his extensive goal drought in style against Rennes, Origi ought to have hit the ground running against ASSE, but he delivered a wholly anonymous performance.
Origi was heavily linked with an early Liverpool switch at the start of the year, with Reds strikers Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert all misfiring and Daniel Sturridge still recovering from his injury.
“There have been discussions,” Rodgers told the Express in January.
“He’s a player that will definitely be here next summer. Whether he’ll be here or not in January is something that there has been discussion [about].”
Fortunately for Liverpool, Sturridge has returned to fitness and has scored twice in his last three Premier League matches. Behind the England forward though, three strikers appear to lack confidence and form – and Origi may be set to join them.
Solving those issues might become Rodgers’ first task of next season.