Liverpool striker Divock Origi ends 5-month goal drought with hat-trick for Lille

Divock Origi ended his five-month wait for a club goal with a hat-trick for Lille as the Liverpool loanee found the net for the first time since November 2014 to inspire his side to victory over Rennes.

The 19-year-old scored his first goal for 23 club matches in all competitions after 38 minutes, reacting quickest after Rennes failed to clear Marko Basa's knockdown.

Origi tucked away a penalty on the hour before sliding home from Nolan's Roux's driven cross to secure the points for a Lille side who continue to harbour hopes of qualifying for Europe.

"Waaayy up I feel blessed!! First hattrick in my career, thanks y'all for the love & support hungry for the next game," Origi wrote on Twitter after the 3-0 win which saw his league tally rise to six for the season.

Lille manager Rene Girard added: "This match will give Origi confidence. At 19 years old, his situation is difficult. You need to find a blend between the faith I have in him and the means that he gives himself to repay that."

The performance will no doubt have caught the attention of Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who will welcome back the Belgium international from his season-long loan spell at the Ligue 1 side.

Liverpool have struggled for goals this season with Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini having netted just eight times between them this season, while Daniel Sturridge – who has missed much of the campaign through injury – has scored four times.

Such was Liverpool's desperation to add goals to their team, they attempted to bring Origi back to Anfield for the second half of the campaign. But Rodgers failed to complete the deal meaning they have been forced to settle on their inadequate resources.

The Liverpool manager has previously revealed how the club are preparing for Origi's summer arrival, while the player has admitted to being in constant contact with Rodgers throughout the campaign.