Liverpool: Divock Origi Race Reportedly Won by Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool have reportedly beaten Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham in the race to sign 19-year-old Lille striker Divock Origi.

The Belgian youngster has been performing well for his national side at the World Cup in Brazil, and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has supposedly succeeded in snapping him up for £6 million, per Warren Houghton's talkSPORT report:

The 19-year-old has earned rave reviews at the World Cup and scored five goals in 30 Ligue 1 games last season.

Rodgers has earmarked the forward as back-up to main strikers Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and new signing Rickie Lambert, and Origi could return to Lille on loan next season.

Origi came on to score a late winner for Belgium in their second World Cup group game at the Maracana against Russia on Sunday.

He also played half an hour of their 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday, effectively setting up Jan Vertonghen's goal as the Red Devils made it three victories from three in Group H.

The Mirror's Ed Malyon commented on the striker's performance in Sao Paulo, noting his immaculate touch:

Was quiet before scoring the winner at the Maracana but Origi has shown some delightful touches tonight. Liverpool could be getting a corker
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) June 26, 2014

Liverpool are in real need of added depth as they head into the 2014-15 season, when they will be competing for the Champions League as well as the Premier League.

Rodgers has already brought in striker Rickie Lambert from Southampton and midfielder Emre Can of Bayer Leverkusen as he looks to get his business done early in the transfer window.

Origi looks to be a top buy from the Anfield outfit, and he is certainly enthusiastic to make a move to England, per ESPN:

"As a little boy I always dreamed of playing in the Premier League but I'm still young and now I'm in an important tournament so I'm try to focus on the team."

His potential signing is a good indicator for Liverpool fans that Rodgers is looking to build a strong team for the future so that the Reds can continue to compete in the Premier League as they did last season—when they finished second.

Origi's potential loan back to Lille would allow him to continue his development so that he is prepared for the rigours of the English game when he returns.

His quick feet and terrific finishing could prove a huge asset to Liverpool for a long time to come as the Reds look to return to their former glories of winning league titles and European trophies.

Rodgers is sticking to what is clearly a well-thought-out transfer plan, and Liverpool will hope to benefit when the start of the new season comes around in August.  

Source: Bleacher Report

By Rory Marsden