It all seemed a bit far fetched to begin with, but Lille director Jean-Michel Vandamme has struck down suggestions that Liverpool could recall on-loan striker Divock Origi in January to help bolster their failing attack.
New boys Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert, as well as Fabio Borini, are all yet to find the net in the league this season as Liverpool languish in ninth place going into this weekends meeting with Queens Park Rangers. Although the return of Daniel Sturridge will do well to bring things back onto par as the new boys adapt, there were suggestions earlier in the week that Origi, who has scored four goals in eleven appearances for Lille so far this year, may make an early return to the Premier League — a proposition the Ligue One side isn’t about to entertain.
“That’s impossible, the contract is clear: he stays here until June” was the blunt response Jean-Michel Vandamme gave Belgian media outlet Sport Wereld when they contacted him to inquire about the rumours.
The Northern French side is flying high in fourth place in Ligue One going into this weekends round of fixtures with the 19-year old playing a part in seven of their nine matches. Although the rumours suggest that a significant payment would be made to Lille to break the terms of the loan deal, it doesn’t sound like they’re about to even consider letting Origi duck out early.
