Divock Origi is ready to stay at Liverpool and fight for his place despite talks of him moving away ahead of the close of the European transfer window.
The Belgian striker would have been allowed to leave Anfield this summer for a fee of around £27m, with Borussia Dortmundinitially keen on a permanent swoop. Turkish outfit Besiktas, who recently secured a two-year loan deal for Reds goalkeeper Loris Karius, were also reported to be in the running for the forward’s signature.
However, Dortmund ultimately opted to bring in Paco Alcacer from Valencia as an alternative, while Besiktas have failed to follow up their interest. Barring a late change in circumstances, Origi is set to stay put in a bid to prove his worth – news that will delight manager Jurgen Klopp.
Origi’s fellow striker Dominic Solanke is also set to remain at Anfield, despite suggestions a possible loan move could be on the cards.
Origi was born in Ostend and grew up in Houthalen-Oost. He was born into a family of footballers. His father, Mike Origi, played for KV Oostende (at the time Divock was born) and Genk, among other Belgian clubs, as well as the Kenya national team.
His uncle, Austin Oduor, played for Gor Mahia in the Kenyan Premier League while his other uncles, Gerald and Anthony, played for Tusker. His cousin Arnold currently plays for Lillestrøm in the Norwegian Tippeligaen and the Kenya national team as a goalkeeper. The Origi family is of Kenyan Luo ethnicity.
On 25 June 2014, a baby dolphin at the Boudewijn Seapark in Bruges was baptised “Origi” in Divock Origi’s honour after having scored the winning goal against Russia during Belgium’s group stage match at the 2014 World Cup.