- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Why Dropping Down to the Liverpool Under-23s Would Benefit Divock Origi’s Career
- Updated: October 11, 2016
“I want to play and be the decisive player that I was last season,” Divock Origi told Belgian outlet HLN (h/t Sky Sports) while on duty with Roberto Martinez’s Belgium squad this month—highlighting a key challenge facing him as Liverpool embark on what is proving to be a positive season under Jurgen Klopp.
Origi, who scored 10 goals and laid on a further three assists in 34 appearances in his first campaign with the Reds in 2015/16, finds himself on the periphery as Klopp prepares his side for their next outing, at home to Manchester United on October 17.
The 21-year-old has made just two starts for Liverpool in 2016/17 so far, along with a further five substitute appearances, averaging 39.3 minutes per appearance—and when compared to his average of 49.7 minutes per game last season, it is clear his opportunities have dwindled over the summer.
When he has been called upon in the Premier League, such as with his longest appearance so far, a 33-minute cameo against Chelsea in September, he has struggled to make a mark—creating no chances and hitting just one shot on target at Stamford Bridge; snatching at opportunities and running into blind alleys.
Both Daniel Sturridge (three) and Roberto Firmino (five) have made more starts leading the line than Origi this season, with the former Lille star dropping down the pecking order after a busy summer at the UEFA European Championship in France.
“A manager never changes his winning team,” Origi, speaking with refreshing pragmatism, continued on his current predicament. “[But] it does not matter to me. Klopp believes in me and says I have to be patient.”
The notion of patience is key, but while this could suggest Origi is willing to sit on the substitutes’ bench, waiting for his chance and dutifully turning out in the starting lineup against Championship sides in the EFL Cup, a revamp in English football’s developmental system presents another approach.
In order to return to the “decisive” No. 9 who scored in both legs of last season’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund, Origi and Klopp would be wise to consider a step down the ranks, as lining up for the Liverpool Under-23s this autumn could be the boost his career needs.
The introduction of the new Premier League 2 setup has provided clubs with further options when both utilising their academy players and providing their first-team talent with valuable game time after injury or due to competition in the senior ranks.
Replacing the Under-21 Premier League, this new format boosts the age limit for players included to 23, as well as allowing three overage outfield players and a goalkeeper, with some fixtures played at first-team stadiums.
As the Premier League explained on its announcement, this was designed to have “a greater focus on technicality, physicality and intensity to bring players as close to first-team experience as possible.”
How will #PL2 make an immediate impact for homegrown players? …
