AC Milan: but where did Divock Origi go?

May 7, 2019. Liverpool hosts FC Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final. After being soundly beaten by the Catalans in the first leg (3-0), the Reds need an exploit to continue with a second consecutive C1 final. To achieve this, Jürgen Klopp decides to line up an attacking eleven which includes Divock Origi. The rest is history. Opening the scoring in the 7th minute, the former LOSC player allowed Liverpool to qualify by scoring the 4-0 goal in the 79th minute. Instantly becoming a Reds legend, the Belgian inevitably enjoyed a new status on the other side of the Channel.

Becoming inevitable in the Liverpool rotation, Origi established himself during the 2019-2020 season by playing 42 matches for 6 small goals scored. Ultimately, this will be his last great season on the banks of the Mersey. Used less and less during his last two seasons in England, the native of Ostend needed a fresh start and decided to join another European big name, AC Milan, for free. And things are really not going as planned for the Milan striker.

Divock Origi has been playing with AC Milan’s U23s since the start of the season

Arriving as a replacement, or even a competitor to Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the powerful striker played 36 games during his first season with the Rossoneri. Ultimately, this encouraging first season did not lead to a brilliant return to prominence in Italy for the Red Devil (32 caps, 3 goals). Sidelined in the summer of 2023, he was loaned to Nottingham Forest last season. A disastrous loan during which he only scored one goal in 22 games. Back in Lombardy this summer, Origi wanted to get back on track under the leadership of a new coach, Paulo Fonseca. Finally, the ordeal continued. Completely put in the cellar, Origi no longer even plays with the professional group and is content to play with the U23 of the Milanese club.

Even Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the advisor of the San Siro residents, announced that his former teammate is no longer in AC Milan’s plans: “Origi and Ballo-Touré are called, but in Milano Futuro. They are not part of the first team project.» A rather embarrassing situation for a player of his caliber who is only 29 years old. Receiving 300,000 euros per month, the Lille-trained player has one of the highest salaries at AC Milan. According to information from the Gazzetta dello Sportthe player is no longer even in Milan and is training on his own to be ready for a new challenge. Under contract until 2026, the striker would have touches in Belgium and England on condition that he lowers his salary drastically. You will have understood, Divock Origi has every interest in finding a new base during the winter transfer window.