Lille attempt to take focus off Origi

Lille boss Rene Girard has attempted to ease the pressure on Liverpool’s Divock Origi ahead of tonight’s Europa League Group H clash with Everton (6pm, live on Setanta Ireland).

The 19-year-old Belgium forward has risen to prominence in 2014, shining for his country at the summer’s World Cup and subsequently being signed from Lille by Liverpool.

Origi was immediately loaned back to the French outfit for the 2014-15 season, and has begun the campaign impressively, scoring four goals in all competitions for Les Dogues plus another for Belgium during the recent international break.

There is set to be considerable attention upon him when Lille host Liverpool’s local rivals tonight.

Girard said: “It is a complicated position, playing as a striker.

Nowadays, lots of teams have a serial killer up front who is very clinical.

“Divock Origi is still very young and we need to be patient.

“Let’s not expect he is going to score 20 goals for us this season — that would be difficult.”

Toffees boss Roberto Martinez has backed Origi to be a future hit in English football.

The Spaniard said: “Divock Origi is a well-known player already, including in England after his role in the World Cup with Belgium.

“We know that in years to come he is going to have a big say in the Premier League — he is a very talented young man.”