Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly among a few Premier League clubs credited with an interest in Liverpool outcast Divock Origi in this transfer window.
The Wanderers have added Yerson Mosquera and Jose Sa, whilst signing Francisco Trincao on loan from Barcelona and turning the loan of Rayan Ait-Nouri into a permanent deal. Under new manager Bruno Lage, the Black County outfit lost 1-0 to midlands rivals Leicester City in their season opener on Saturday.
With less than two weeks left for the transfer window to slam shut, Bruno Lage wants to further reinforce his squad, especially in the final third. According to The Telegraph (h/t The Birmingham Mail), Wolves are considering making a move for Liverpool’s Divock Origi.
Divock Origi, 26, has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield, with just six starts to his name last season and was an unused substitute in the 3-0 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday. The Belgian forward, who is also on the radar of London rivals West Ham and Crystal Palace, is deemed surplus to requirements at Liverpool and could leave this month.
Divock Origi to Wolves—A good fit at Molineux?
Wolves struggled for goals last season, managing just 36 in 38 games under former manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Bruno Lage, Nuno’s successor, wants to instill an attacking style of football with pace and energy at Molineux and remains in need of more players.
Raul Jimenez played his first competitive game against Leicester City last weekend after recovering from a serious skull injury following a clash of heads with David Luiz in November. The Mexican international has proven to be a reliable marksman for the Wanderers since arriving from Benfica in the summer of 2018.
However, Jimenez is expected to take some time to get back his mojo and Lage simply cannot overburden his no.1 striker. With Pedro Neto still on the sidelines, the onus will be on Adama Traore and Fabio Silva to start delivering the goods this season.
Nevertheless, Lage cannot overlook Wolves’ lack of goalscoring options and must address the problem before August 31. Thus, the Black County outfit’s interest in Divock Origi makes sense.
Signed as a teenager from Lille back in 2014, Divock Origi, 26, has failed to reach his true potential at Liverpool. Until now, he has made 157 total appearances and scored 35 times for the Merseysiders. Recurrent injury problems and lack of consistency has stemmed the Belgian’s development under Klopp, with the player failing to challenge the front-three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in the starting XI as a result.
However, Origi, now entering the peak years of his career at 26, could do a good job at Wolves. Primarily a centre-forward, he can also operate down the left flank and possesses the ability to dribble past opposition defenders, link play well and produce chances for his teammates. The former Lille starlet would undoubtedly improve Lage’s attacking options at Wolves, whilst being a reliable back-up to Jimenez, at the very least.
The time is right for Divock Origi to move on from Liverpool for pastures new. Joining a club like Wolves would see the 26-year-old Belgian get regular opportunities as well as get his stuttering career back on track.