Reds wanted me now - Origi

Cape Town - Divock Origi has revealed that Liverpool wanted him to join this season, but had to loan him back to Lille as part of the deal.

The Reds sealed a €9.8 million deal for the highly-rated youngster shortly after he impressed at the World Cup in Brazil, but loaned him straight back to the Ligue 1 club.

And Origi says he would have been happy to move to Anfield immediately, but that it was impossible under the terms of the agreement between the two clubs.

"[Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers] wanted me from the beginning, but unfortunately he did not succeed," the Belgium international told Voetbal Primeur.

"It was important that I remained at Lille for a year for my development.

"It was not my request to stay, but Lille otherwise would not sell me. It's not that I do not want to go to Liverpool, I have ambitions.

"But it is an advantage that I am still at Lille for a season, where I can continue to develop and play a lot. That's the positive side of the story."