Analysing How Divock Origi Can Transform Liverpool's Striking Woes

With the transfer window now open in the Premier League, fans of all 20 clubs will be looking towards potential transfer targets, with Liverpool no exception.

It's been far from an ideal first half of the season for Brendan Rodgers' side, with problems that need addressing all across the field.

However, despite the woes of Simon Mignolet and an inability to find consistency in defence, it's in attack that Liverpool's biggest shortcoming lies.

Mario Balotelli has simply struggled to settle back in to English football, while Rickie Lambert's struggles in a Liverpool shirt were perhaps best summed up in a difficult night against AFC Wimbledon on Monday. Throw Fabio Borini into the mix (who, like Balotelli, hasn't scored a single goal in the Premier League this season), and it makes grim reading for Reds fans.

So with plenty of Liverpool fans no doubt expecting a new striker in the transfer window, it's easy to forget that they've already got one on their books that could make a huge difference.

The Liverpool Echo's James Pearce has reported in the last couple of days that Belgian striker Divock Origi, who was loaned back out to Lille after completing a permanent transfer to Anfield in the summer, could be on his way back to Liverpool earlier than planned:

Origi has endured a difficult spell since returning to France following the World Cup, scoring just four goals for Lille this year. But there's little doubting that should Liverpool pay the reported £3million to get him to Anfield early, they'd be getting a player with immense talent.

With Daniel Sturridge still on the sidelines, Liverpool need a striker with pace and intelligence. Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson, although not quite sparkling at the same heights as last season, are still proving to be influential and creative in midfield.

Origi is a natural finisher and came second in the rankings for the prestigious Golden Boy in 2014—just behind Liverpool's Raheem Sterling.

There's an argument to suggest that although his form at Lille has been poor (he was recently booed off by his own fans during a Europa League game against Wolfsburg), his heart may already be yearning for an early move to Anfield.

Origi is raw, but he has lots of qualities which will make him a handful amongst Premier League defences. Liverpool were at their best last season when they played with pace in their attack, you only need to think back to Sturridge's partnership with Luis Suarez.

With Origi able to spin and turn a defence with his blistering acceleration, that will prevent teams from pushing up as high on the Reds as they have done recently. With that, the defence should get more time on the ball, as will the midfield.

Origi's rapid pace is just one of his major assets; he's a real commanding presence with his height, and he will give Liverpool another outlet to work with when Plan A isn't going as expected.

One thing that should be mentioned though is Liverpool fans needing to be patient with Origi if he does arrive in January. He's coming from a side who aren't playing well, where he has been spending time out on the wing: essentially out of position.

If Brendan Rodgers is serious about a move for Origi in January, then Liverpool could well have a rough diamond on their hands, and one that will give them a huge lift in the race for Champions League football.