‘The only thing stopping Origi being the best is himself’

Matt Stead

Divock Origi “has everything” needed to become “the best”, according to the Liverpool striker’s cousin.

Liverpool signed Origi for £10million in summer 2014, with the Belgian spending a further year on loan at Lille as part of the deal.

Since making his debut for the Reds in September 2015, the 22-year-old has scored 18 goals in 61 appearances.

He has scored eight goals in 28 games this season, but has been afforded only 13 starts by Jurgen Klopp.

Despite his struggles to hold down a first-team spot, his cousin, Kenyan goalkeeper Arnold Origi, insists that the forward can become a huge success at Anfield.

“I know his qualities,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“Divock has everything you need to be a top striker – pace, power, aggression and finishing. And I’m not saying that just because we’re family.

“He can also be the first defender with his pressing which is very important in a team like Liverpool.

“I see what he’s capable of. He showed it in the 2014 World Cup for example. That was no fluke. You don’t just go and perform at that level.

“He can be the best. The only hindrance to him becoming the best is in himself.”