Divock Origi has claimed that some of the criticism he received while at Liverpool was unfair, but has vowed to return next season a better player.
The Belgian found himself well down Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order at the beginning of this season – with Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and the newly signed Dominic Solanke ahead of him.
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As a result, it was decided that Origi would play for Wolfsburg this campaign instead. So far, the 22-year-old has one goal in five starts – not the kind of form which makes Liverpool immediately regret the loan.
“You can’t expect a youngster to perform consistently,” Origi told HLN, translated by Football365.
“It went with ups and with downs. I scored 21 goals in two years. Not bad. I’ve learned a lot at Liverpool. It’s still my plan to return after this season. But now I’m focusing on Wolfsburg.”
Origi has a point. He was judged by fans as a senior pro, but that’s largely because of his amazing stint during Klopp’s first season where he scored against Borussia Dortmund in both legs and ousted Sturridge from the lineup.
He also notched against Everton, but was scythed down by Ramiro Funes Mori and arguably hasn’t been the same since he returned from that injury which also ended his 2015/16.
We’d really like Origi to knuckle down and prove a success in Germany. He’s strong, quick and skilful, so has all the attributes to one day become a top striker.
Confidence is currently an issue though and he needs to develop a mentality where he feels confident bullying defenders, like his countryman Romelu Lukaku.