Summer signing Divock Origi has told Liverpool that he wants to start playing for them in January -- ahead of schedule.
Origi, 19, signed for the Reds from Ligue 1 club Lille in a deal worth 9.5 million pounds. He was loaned back to the French club, for who he has scored four goals in 17 appearances this season, for a year as part of the deal.
Rene Girard's side, who finished third in Ligue 1 last term, have slumped to 14th after picking up one point from their last five matches and are on the brink of Europa League elimination after failing to win any of their four group matches, losing 3-0 at Everton on Nov. 6.
Origi, who scored for Belgium as they beat Iceland 3-1 in a friendly in Brussels on Wednesday, has made it clear that he would like to bring his Liverpool debut forward if possible.
The Guardian quoted him as saying: "Maybe January, who knows? It's not me who makes the decisions, but if the club choose to let me go in January, I would go. I would like to join Liverpool then.
"Although I agreed to stay with Lille until the end of this season, if there was that chance of joining Liverpool sooner I would take it. I said that I would stay for the whole season, and I wish to remain honourable in that, of course.
"But if there was a decision by the clubs, I would not say that I would not like to go to Liverpool in January. I would love to move sooner rather than later.
"I am here at Lille -- it is fine, they are a good club and they have helped me. But it is also frustrating. It is French football. I can't wait to be playing in the Premier League, because I can now see that it will suit me better."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told a news conference last week that the Anfield club were in regular contact with Origi and monitoring his progress in France.
The youngster added: "That makes me feel very good and wanted. Also the medical staff stay in touch for the same reason, telling me they are looking forward to me coming to the club."