Liverpool Transfer News: Divock Origi Defended After Lille Boos, Latest Rumours

Divock Origi's father has come out in defence of his son following the on-loan Liverpool striker's recent goal drought, while West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has put a price tag on centre-back Winston Reid.

Origi initially gave Liverpool fans great hope after showcasing fine form on loan at former club Lille this season, but the youngster has hit poor form of late. Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws provided quotes from Origi Sr:

The Reds were especially hopeful regarding Origi's prospects considering their need for a reliable attacking outlet, with Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert not quite living up to expectations.

The absence of injured Daniel Sturridge, falling in conjunction with Luis Suarez's summer departure to Barcelona, has been hard on the team and in part led to their European exit midweek.

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Origi netted three goals in his first six Ligue 1 appearances back at Lille this season, but the forward has since failed to add to that tally, his last league goal coming back in September.

Wolfsburg midfielder and Belgium team-mate Kevin De Bruyne played against Origi in their Europa League clash on Thursday, where he was eager to back his compatriot despite a missed penalty:

Hosts Lille went on to lose the fixture 3-0 and saw their European campaign come to an end as a result, but Origi can hope that lightened schedule sees his form take a turn for the better.

Brendan Rodgers will be hoping for the same as he looks to unearth a new answer in attack. If not for this season, at least looking forward to the 2015-16 campaign when Origi makes his first appearance at Anfield.

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Another player who might make an impact on Merseyside is the Hammers' Reid, but Liverpool may be put off by the £20 million tag Allardyce has placed on his star defender this January.

Reid's contract at Upton Park runs out next summer, but Allardyce is quoted by the Mirror's Neil McLeman proclaiming it won't force the east Londoners to sell cheap:

"

He is not going anywhere unless someone bids £20m or something like that. There is obviously not a lot I can do about that. 

If somebody flirts around with a measly offer because he is in the last year of his contract, we would make more money by keeping him and finishing where we are in the league than selling him and putting our good season in jeopardy. Because replacing him in January—replacing anybody in January—is a very difficult job indeed.

"

Just how eager Liverpool would be to pay such an extravagant fee for a player they could potentially sign for nothing in July is debatable but highly unlikely.

Dejan Lovren was brought in from Southampton over the summer to give Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure competition at the back.

However, the £20 million defender has struggled. James Tyler of ESPN and Squawka recently pointed out the Croatian's lapses in defending during Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Basel:

Reid has stood out as one of West Ham's key performers in recent seasons, but it's clear the club intends to retain his services until at least the end of his contract—potentially longer if he can be convinced to sign an extension.

The ball is in the Reds' court after finding out their fee, but if the Hammers are holding firm, it would be a shock to see New Zealand international Reid heading anywhere.