• Premier League

Liverpool's Origi is like Kluivert - he can be world class

ESPN staff
August 6, 2014
Pressure at Anfield

New Liverpool striker Divock Origi has been compared to Patrick Kluivert by one of the Lille coaches who helped develop him.

Origi starred at the World Cup for Belgium and recently completed a £10 million move to Liverpool, but will spend one more season on loan at Lille before he leaves for Anfield.

Stephane Adam, the French club's reserve coach, believes Origi can become a world-class player and says the 19 year old has similar attributes to former Ajax and Barcelona striker Kluivert.

"He makes me think of Kluivert," Adam told Le Parisien. "Quick, powerful, with technique that's above the norm."

The fact that Liverpool moved for Origi came as no shock to Adam, despite the striker admitting he was stunned to learn his new club had been tracking him for several years.

"I'm not really surprised," Adam said. "When I had him working under me with the under-19s, you had the impression that he was playing with his little brothers. Divock has the qualities to become a world-class player."

Origi acknowledged he still has work to do before linking up with Liverpool and Adam believes it is a good idea for him to have one more year at Lille.

He added: "At that age the most important thing is to play. He has to get a starting place in his own right and to become a real competitor."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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