Liverpool’s Croatian centre-back Dejan Lovren has taken time to praise the work shown by Divock Origi on the training ground.
The 27-year-old defender is an automatic starter when fit, but the young Belgian has had to patiently wait for his chance this term, only provided by injuries to Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge at the same time.
But Origi’s certainly taken his opportunity with both hands, bagging three games in his past three appearances.
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“I spoke a couple of times with Divock and it’s a bit like I’m his older brother and he’s listening to me!” the defender told the official website.
“Actually, he’s amazing, especially for a young player. I can’t believe that I’m saying he’s young because he looks like me, old and everything!
“That’s the right attitude, you need to have patience. I know it’s quite difficult when you are young and you’re not playing. You know you need to get the chance, but like I said to him, you need to work hard behind the doors, behind the scenes and you will get the chance, that’s for sure.
“Maybe someone will get injured and that’s the time. [But] if you didn’t work good, then it will be difficult to get in and you will need five or six games to score a goal. But he was working really professionally.”
As a result of the 21-year-old’s form, and the fact Sturridge has yet to return to full training, he’ll continue to lead the line this weekend against West Ham.
The Hammers will provide a stern test, especially considering our capitulation to Bournemouth and the fact they’ll have Andy Carroll leading their line.
Thankfully, Joel Matip is returning, meaning Lovren will have his usual partner back. As a pairing, they’ve worked excellently this term – it’s only when Matip’s been absent that Lovren has struggled.
We’re backing Origi to maintain his lethal run, too. If he does, he’ll be ahead of Sturridge in the pecking order even when the Englishman’s healthy again.