Liverpool Loaning out Divock Origi Has Proven to Be Grave Error of Judgement

The World Cup is often a breeding ground for new stars to be born and introduced to the rest of the world in some style. And when Belgium's Divock Origi made a sizable impact on the tournament back in Brazil this year, Liverpool were quick to snap up the Lille striker in a £10 million deal.

It looked like smart business, especially given his age and talent. However, Liverpool immediately announced that Origi would head back to Ligue 1 for a season on loan, and that is already starting to look like a massive error from Brendan Rodgers.

Liverpool's woes in front of goal so far this season haven't been helped by the injury to Daniel Sturridge, but the signing of Mario Balotelli is also doing little to boost Liverpool's conversion rate.

It's ironic, therefore, that the one Liverpool striker who is in form is actually out on loan away from the club. Granted, Ligue 1 isn't of the same defensive standard as the Premier League, but Origi is in great shape at the start of Lille's season.

"

PLAYER OF THE WEEK | #Ligue1 Divock Origi https://t.co/Ab7vpP0AfJ

— Football News (@LSSfootyNews) September 29, 2014"

Three goals in six games is decent form, but when you compare it to the fortunes of Liverpool's attackers, it's positively outstanding.

In many ways, Origi is similar to Balotelli, in that he is a real presence upfront. It's incredible to think that the Reds have Origi on their books, but yet Rodgers saw fit to send him out on loan for the season.

Given the departure of Luis Suarez, goals were always going to be harder to come by this year. Sure, hindsight is brilliant, but Rodgers has a certified goalscorer on his hands with the 19-year-old, and with only Sturridge as an out-and-out striking option, the decision to send Origi away is baffling.

"

Divock Origi has scored or assisted 57% of Lille's goals! pic.twitter.com/wSZlWlE5i9

— JustLFC (@JustLFC_) September 28, 2014"

But it isn't just the amount of goals he is scoring that makes the decision puzzling, it is the types of goals he is putting away. Take his most recent effort for Lille at the weekend. It was a chance from effectively nothing, and it is the kind of attacking play Liverpool are gravely missing at the moment.

The Everton game was symptomatic of that; there were several chances being forged by the midfield, but there simply isn't anyone there to put them away. The stats don't lie; Liverpool have scored fewer goals in their first six games (eight) than the likes of West Ham (10), Hull (nine) and even Leicester (nine).

Again, with hindsight on offer, it's easy to pull apart Rodgers' decision. But you just wonder if the Liverpool manager is watching Origi do the business in France wondering if he's made a massive error of judgement.

The World Cup proved that Origi was ready to mix it against the very best in the world. The big question that will remain unanswered is, would Liverpool's season have benefited with the impact of the 19-year-old?