Brendan Rodgers explains Divock Origi situation

Modified Nov 22, 2014 09:17 GMT

Tony Hibbert (L) of Everton chases Divock Origi of Lille in a Europa League encounter

Lille fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Divock Origi won’t be recalled in January to ease Liverpool’s striking woes. After Daniel Sturridge suffered another setback to his comeback from injury, there were unconfirmed reports that the Reds will try to bring the young Belgian to his parent club earlier than expected.

Divock Origi, 19, has been banging in the goals regularly for struggling Ligue 1 outfit, LOSC Lille. The current Liverpool strikers are going through a barren spell in front of goal and Daniel Sturridge’s comeback from injury seems unlikely to be any time soon. The FA Manager of the Year for the season 2013-14 will have to look elsewhere in January or wield his magic wand to get Liverpool, who scored 101 goals the previous season, firing again.

Agreement with Lille

Rodgers said, “The young player we signed last summer, it was always on the understanding that he had to stay at Lille. I've seen reports that he'll be coming back early but that was never the case. When we signed the player, it was one of the main reasons we were able to sign him -- he would have to stay at Lille for this season.”

The Reds splashed out £10-million to buy the sought-after teenager in the summer and loaned him back to Lille for the 2014-15 season. He continued, “The deal was put in place quite clearly in the summer that he would stay at Lille for the season, and then we would get him after that. As far as I'm concerned, that's still the case.”

Injury concerns for Rodgers

Apart from long-term absentee Daniel Sturridge, Brendan Rodgers will have to pick a team against Crystal Palace that may not include maverick Italian striker, Mario Balotelli, as he suffered a groin injury that forced him to withdraw from the Italy squad for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia. On Mario, Rodgers said, "Mario's had an issue with the Italian squad, which he returned from, but we'll assess that over the next couple of days.”

Newly appointed vice-captain, Jordan Henderson, however, will be able to take the field at Selhurst Park despite missing the England’s game against Scotland. The manager confirmed, “Jordan missed the game against Scotland as a precaution. There was a slight tightness there, so he wasn't risked. He should be fine for the weekend.”