Origi nears Reds start

Cape Town - Liverpool are close to reaching an agreement to bring Belgium striker Divock Origi to Anfield ahead of schedule.

The Liverpool Echo report that Lille may be tempted to prematurely end striker Divock Origi's stay in France.

Following a brilliant display at the Soccer World Cup in Brazil, Origi agreed a £10 million move to Liverpool but only after completing the 2014/15 season on loan at Lille.

Liverpool have been humstrung by injuries to English striker Daniel Sturridge and a lucklustre start at Anfield by Mario Balotelli.

The Reds are willing to pay £3 million to bring Origi to England ahead of his July move and despite no deal being in place yet, reports suggest the Anfield club are confident of a successful outcome to the negotiations.

Origi has had a nightmare season with Lille and was booed off against Wolfsburg last month following a penalty miss.

Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini are yet to score a single league goal between them which has necessitated Brendan Rodger's desire to bring Origi to England in January.