Latest Sturridge setback gifts Liverpool reserve golden chance
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The collective groans emitted by Liverpool fans when hearing of Daniel Sturridge’s very latest injury setback may have registered as a small tremor on the Richter scale, but the news can only be construed positively by one man at Anfield.
Divock Origi’s chances of convincing both his manager and Liverpool fans he is capable of producing the goods again are now greatly improved with Sturridge nursing a hamstring strain set to keep him out for weeks, rather than days.
In fact, Origi, who at times this season has been viewed as the fourth-choice striker at Liverpool behind Sturridge, Christian Benteke and Danny Ings, is now in direct competition with his compatriot to lead the line.
Liverpool’s striker count dwindles again
With Ings also stricken for some time to come and fellow Belgian Benteke returning lukewarm figures of five goals in 15 Liverpool appearances this season (nine of those being starts), there is genuine scope the former Lille man be granted more starts, beginning in the Europe League.
Although the deferred summer signing has shown a decent appetite to implement Jurgen Klopp’s high-pressing system in his first 10 outings as a Liverpool player, strikers are always judged by goals.
Having been guilty of wasting some chances, Origi’s Anfield copybook was already in danger of being blotted before he turned in a stellar performance in the recent Capital One Cup quarter-final thumping of Southampton.
Origi shows his best side at Southampton
A hat-trick, featuring a blazing finish for his second of the evening, showcased what the 20-year-old could bring to the party for his price tag of £10m.
Collecting the match ball at St Mary’s must have inspired confidence he belongs at the highest level and with his countryman ineffective at Newcastle when Origi was benched once again, it seems highly probable Klopp gives him another start against FC Sion.
Odds against FC Sion
Another hat-trick may be fanciful as odds of 50/1 with Ladbrokes imply, but finding the target is a far more plausible 15/8 chance.
If the youngster can score again, then he could well be in pole position to start the next league match at home to West Brom three days later.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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