Although one of the most furious but fascinating rivalries that helps define the English game, Liverpool and Everton have historically had their fair share of trading players.
Whilst the Merseyside Derby is always immediately ear-marked in the sporting calendar with the two sides determinedly trying to gain bragging rights when the fixture rolls around, the two teams of Liverpool have had more than a handful of direct transfers crossing the sacred divide.
Furthermore, Jamie Carragher, Steve McManaman, and Robbie Fowler are just some of the names who were all famous boyhood Evertonians but who became icons in the other half of the city.
However, news that Everton are setting their sights on one of their rivals’ current roster should be treated with a certain amount of trepidation by the Reds.
Outcast striker Divock Origi is being lined up by Marco Silva and Everton as a surprising transfer target for the upcoming transfer window in January in order to bolster their attacking options, according to The Mirror.
The Belgian striker is far down the pecking order with Jurgen Klopp at the helm at Liverpool, whereas Everton, who are beginning to show signs of improvement under their new Spanish manager, are still in desperate need for a striker, with Turkey international Cenk Tosun continually flattering to deceive.
The Mirror speculates that with misfit Tosun being potentially ‘offloaded’ back to previous club Besiktas, the move for Origi could be given the green-light.
Origi has made 77 appearances for Liverpool since moving from Lille for £10million in 2014, after becoming the youngest goalscorer at the time in Belgian World Cup history, in Brazil.
Following a season back at Les Dogues, Origi has gone on to score 21 goals and providing seven assists over the past several years with Liverpool.
The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.
Fans were quick to jump on Twitter to react to the news Origi could be switching allegiances come the New Year.
@p_mcallister123 proclaimed his outrage by stating, 'Us supposedly wanting to sell Tosun in January in order to fund a move for Divock effing Origi is right up there amongst the worse transfer rumour I've ever heard. That's honestly "Everton are in for Kenwyne Jones" levels of howling.' whereas, @allan_liverpool asserted his desire for a Origi renaissance but drew the line at the Belgian wearing the colours of his cross-city rivals; 'I want him to play and restart his career, but at everton... wow no.'
@hattys46 had a more humorous approach, 'We can but hope!!! YNWA' and @forzalfc05 proposing a swap deal for the Toffees' star man: 'Can only see us selling Origi to Everton if we have first dibs on Richarlison.'
Roll on January.
