Liverpool's Divock Origi aims to prove he is not a flop by filling in for Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool striker Divock Origi insists he is ready to fill the void left by Daniel Sturridge

DIVOCK ORIGI is ready to fill the void left by Daniel Sturridge’s latest absence.

 

Sturridge, 26, was ruled out for a number of weeks with a hamstring strain picked up against Newcastle on Sunday.

Origi, 20, endured a difficult start to life at Anfield following his move from Lille and failed to score in his first 10 appearances.

But he netted a hat-trick against Southampton last week in the Capital One Cup quarter-final.

 

Now with Sturridge out and Christian Benteke not in form ahead of their final Europa League Group B clash against FC Sion, Origi is ready to shine.

When asked if he is ready to be the main man up front, he said: “I would be very happy and excited.

“I am ready to give my all. The last game showed great things can happen. You can have a bad game but all you can do is give everything and then the coach makes the decision.

“I hope to be (playing) more from now but in football you never know.

“Even as a young player sometimes you try to be consistent and it is never easy. I will try to focus on my game and then we will see from his season.”

 

It is also a chance for the Belgium striker to prove that he is not going to be a £9m flop and could actually be the main man up front for the Reds in the future.

But he is just focused on improving his game steadily rather than trying to nail down a spot ahead of Sturridge and Benteke.

He said: “To prove yourself you have to prove yourself over the longer term, not just one game.

“When I came here everyone was clear about what they expected from me - to become a top player.

“But there are already top players in the team so I don't have to ask myself too many questions, I am still young so I have to bring my enthusiasm to the game, believe and help the team in this way.

 

Sturridge is ruled out for a number of weeks with a hamstring strain he suffered against Newcastle

“I think I always have belief. I know I have a lot to learn and I have to progress a lot.

“When I see the other players playing I can see they have experience - it is normal with their age - so for me the most important thing is for me to work hard and learn a lot.

“That is the main focus for me.”

The hat-trick against the Saints did ease some pressure that was growing on his shoulders.

Liverpool fans were expecting more from a striker who cost £9m and impressed at the World Cup just over a year ago.

 

Now he is ready to deliver on that potential after finally netting in a red shirt.

He said: “For me I expect a lot from myself and I was a little bit frustrated because you work hard and the games don't go like you want so it was a huge relief.

“Mentally for me it was a huge boost.

“It [the first few games without a goal] has been a learning experience.

“As a striker you always want to score but more importantly you want to enjoy the game.