LIVERPOOL have no intention of allowing Newcastle loan target Divick Origi to leave during the January transfer window.

Newcastle’s new ownership team will use the January window to overhaul the squad they were bequeathed by Mike Ashley, with head coach Eddie Howe pushing for the recruitment of domestic-based players with extensive previous experience of playing in the Premier League.

Origi has been identified as a potential attacking option, with the Belgian forward’s lack of game time with Liverpool this season creating an opportunity for Newcastle to lure him away from Anfield. Origi has not made a single Premier League start this term, with his two substitute appearances in the league amounting to just 16 minutes of football.

Amanda Staveley and her advisors feel Origi would be receptive to the idea of kickstarting his career with a six-month loan spell on Tyneside, but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is set to shut down any possibility of the 26-year-old moving to St James’ Park.

While Origi currently finds himself behind Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Takumi Minamino in the attacking pecking order at Anfield, the situation is about to change markedly at the turn of the year.

Salah and Mane will head to Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of December, representing Egypt and Senegal respectively. The tournament starts on January 9 and runs to February 6, and while the exact dates when players will be expected to be available remain somewhat vague, it has been suggested that Liverpool’s attacking duo could miss six Premier League matches and two FA Cup games.

With Firmino currently struggling with injury, Klopp’s attacking resources are set to be seriously depleted, and while Origi is not currently featuring in the Liverpool boss’ plans, he is likely to become an important asset while Salah and Mane are unavailable in January. As a result, any approach from Newcastle will almost certainly be quickly rebuffed.

The Magpies’ defensive struggles mean strengthening the backline will be a priority when the transfer window reopens, but Howe is also mindful of the lack of a natural replacement for Callum Wilson in attack.

While Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton performed creditably in attacking roles in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Brentford, neither is regarded as an out-and-out centre-forward by the current regime. Dwight Gayle is a natural number nine, but his lack of involvement in the last few seasons is an understandable cause of concern. Howe would not want to be left in a position where Gayle was his only attacking option.

Both Saint-Maximin and Joelinton scored at the weekend, with the latter producing arguably his best display of the season as he cut in threateningly from the right.

The Brazilian has struggled to live up to his £40m price tag throughout his Newcastle career, but while Steve Bruce seemed to accept he would never be a natural goalscorer, Howe and his assistant, Jason Tindall, are much more optimistic about Joelinton’s ability to cause problems for Premier League defences.

“I think Joelinton is a fantastic player,” said Tindall, in the wake of Saturday’s game. “Ever since we’ve been here, we’ve really seen the quality that he’s got. I think the performance that you saw (against Brentford) was outstanding.

“His work ethic for the team was exactly what was asked, and he got a fantastic goal. That should give him confidence moving forwards because he’s certainly going to be a big player for the football club and this team.”

For his part, Joelinton is happy with the role he has been handed as part of Howe’s new 3-4-3 formation.

“Eddie has brought in new ideas and a new style of play,” he said. “The last ten days with him have been very good, both for myself and the team. We have worked hard, and we must continue that, sticking together and keep fighting.”