The Star ­ Thursday
Date: 07.08.2014
Page 43
Article size: 396 cm2
ColumnCM: 88.0
AVE: 154880.0
THOROUGH REDS
IMPRESS ORIGI
Divock can not believe how much Liverpool scouted him
BY SIMON JONES
AND ALEX SHARP
final play­off. They were held
to a 1­1 draw by Grasshoppers on
Tuesday but went through 3­1 on ag­
discussions have taken place between
ing Divock Origi, who has
Kenyan parents, has admit­
ted he was surprised by the
gregate.
extent the club had tracked
his career,
pectations. "He wants me to become
der injury he picked up on Liver­
pool's pre­sea son tour in the United
States which could have disrupted the
LIVERPOOL'S new grat­
Origi played and scored at
the World Cup for Belgium
and completed a £10million
(Shl.48bn) move to Liver­
pool last month before being
loaned him back to Lil e.
"Liverpool followed me
for a long tune," Origi said in
an interview with L'Equipe.
"When I arrived in the of­
fices there, they showed me
cassettes of me in the Under­
15s. Everyone knew me. I
couldn't believe it.
Brendan Rodgers also has high ex­
the forward and the club.
Borini is recovering from a shoul­
one of the best in the world,' Origi
added of his new manager.
Origi, 19, only made his Ligue 1 de­
but in February 2013 and has not got
move.
carried away with his success so far.
"Last year, 1 scored on my Ligue
pions League this season.
1 debut before dropping out of the
keen to fight for a place at Liverpool
following the departure of Luis Sua­
team a little later,' said Origi, who has
However It is also understood the
former Roma, Chelsea and Swansea
forward wants to play in the Cham­
In addition the Italian is said to be
made just 12 starts in 40 French top­
rez to Barcelona this summer.
"That pushed me to work harder. I
Sunderland have been frustrated
in the transfer market this summer
want to play a run of games, establish
myself in the team, improve, discover
as they pursue another striker to add
more firepower this season.
flight appearances.
European competition."
The Black Cats have managed to
bolster their squad with the signings
impressed. Steven Gerrard
Meanwhile Fabio Borini will decide
on his future within the next 24 hours
of Billy Jones, Jordi Gomez, Costel
told me it was a shame that
as Sunderland continue to pursue the
Pantilimon and Patrick van Aanholt.
1 wouldn't be there straight
Liverpool striker.
"When 1 arrived, I was
away as everyone was wait­
Manager Gus Poyet wants to sign
Poyet has also wrapped up the sign­
ing of Manchester City midfielder Jack
Borini after a successful loan spell at Rodwell for £7 million (Shl.03bn) on
ing impatiently for me. That
means something. I also saw
the Stadium of Light last season and a five­year­deal.
(Daniel) Sturridgc, who was
Sunderland have met Liverpool's £14
very nice."
million valuation.
Origi will gain valuable
experience of playing in Eu­
rope's premier competition,
the Champions League, if
Lille are to progress from the
The Black Cats have been pa­
tient with the Italian as the deal has
been on the table for weeks with the
Northern Echo reporting that further
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
The Star ­ Thursday
Date: 07.08.2014
Page 43
Article size: 396 cm2
ColumnCM: 88.0
AVE: 154880.0
HIND BLOWING:
Belgium forward Divock Origi who has Kenyan parents.
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya