Divock Origi is an exciting prospect but the Liverpool forward lacks composure as he fires blank on first Anfield start

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Fourteen months after officially becoming a Liverpool player, Divock Origi was awarded his first start at Anfield and took only four minutes to make an impact.

It was enough time to challenge Sion defender Leo Lacroix, surge past him and then drive into the penalty area before setting up Adam Lallana for a virtual tap-in from close range.

In that one moment, The Kop may have felt they were looking at a natural replacement for Raheem Sterling. Certainly, his pace and direct running make him look a better fit than £29million Roberto Firmino. 

Divock Origi carries the ball forward as he holds off the challenge Leo Lacroix during the clash at Anfield

Origi celebrates with his team-mates after setting up Adam Lallana to open the scoring for the hosts

Unfortunately, his finishing didn't prove as deadly as his assist-making. Even though this was only Sion, fifth in the 10-team Swiss Super League, Origi couldn't back up his early flourish on a consistent basis. His great pace and movement gave him scoring opportunities. But he missed them.

Clearly he has weapons at his disposal but is very raw and lacks game management at times. Certainly, he didn't show the composure an even younger forward, Anthony Martial, has displayed in his short time at Manchester United. Twice in the second half he was one-on-one with goalkeeper Andris Vanins and hit his legs.

Origi, 20, was hailed as one of the rising stars of the last World Cup, outshining better-known players such as Eden Hazard and Marouane Fellaini as Belgium reached the quarter-finals in Brazil.

Liverpool pulled off a coup by winning his signature from Lille on July 29, 2014 for a reported £10million fee but had to loan him straight back to France for the entirety of last season.

In this campaign, Brendan Rodgers has so far overlooked Origi in the Premier League bar 16 minutes in a losing game at Old Trafford. His only previous start had come in the Europa League away to Bordeaux, his only Anfield appearance as a substitute against Carlisle in the Capital One Cup.

But with Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton in his mind, key players were rested and Origi was given his big chance by Rodgers. 

Belgium striker Origi looks to hurdle the tackle from Pa Modou during the Europa League match with Sion

The 20-year-old holds his hands to his face after missing a chance during the draw with the Swiss side

Origi, so strong for Belgium at the 2014 World Cup, has much to prove up front on Merseyside 

Operating down the right flank, he started like a player desperate to escape the shadows in double-quick time.

Sion panicked every time he got on the ball during that purple patch. After setting up the opening goal, he then produced a decent trick by dragging the ball back with his instep before firing in a shot. Given Liverpool's indifferent start to the season, it was a welcome return of the "Wow Factor" at Anfield.

Of course, Origi's attacking instincts aren't going to mean too much if Liverpool are as open at the back as they were after 17 minutes when the delightfully-named Ghanaian Ebenezer Assifuah broke in behind the defence and slotted in between Simon Mignolet's legs to equalise.

The youngster's main weapon is pace but Liverpool's slow build-up meant it was often easy for the Sion defence to get organised. He moved more centrally, closer to England's new call-up Danny Ings, to try and get more involved after his impressive start.

Origi attempts to evade the sliding challenge coming in from Sion defender Lacroix

Origi lines up a shot but was unable to break his Liverpool duck on a frustrating night at Anfield

You wonder though if he is a natural goalscorer. With his first sight on goal, he took a couple of unnecessary extra touches rather than shooting early. When his pace put him clear in the second half, he failed to beat the goalkeeper. Origi is versatile. He appeared on the left at the start of the second half then operated as a lone striker when Danny Ings was substituted.

He was a worry to Sion and being the new focal point of Liverpool's attack gave it new impetus. He showed the back-four a clean pair of heels before hitting Vanins midway through the half. Then when substitute Philippe Coutinho slipped him in, Origi timed his run to beat the offside trap but his finish required sufficient lift to beat Vanins.

Origi looks one for the future. But Liverpool need a goalscorer right now when Daniel Sturridge isn't around.