‘I’m a Liverpool hero but I'm stuck in exile and forced to train alone despite £3m contract’

Divock Origi has had a tumultuous term with AC Milan since parting ways with Liverpool in 2022 on a free transfer, with the striker yet to feature for the Serie A giants this season

Divock Origi's journey with AC Milan has been a rollercoaster since he waved goodbye to Liverpool in 2022.

The talented forward first made waves at Lille, signing his initial pro deal back in 2012. Liverpool, wowed by his potential after 16 goals in 89 games for the French side, forked out a cool £10million for him in 2014.

And during his eight-year stint at Anfield, the now-29-year-old hit the back of the net 41 times and set up 15 more in 175 outings - even nabbing both Premier League and Champions League glory as a part of Jurgen Klopp's squad. As his chapter with Liverpool in the summer of 2022, fans sent their heartfelt farewells as Origi moved on to AC Milan in a free transfer - yet with high hopes for his future.

Milan handed Origi a hefty £3.4million (€4m) annual paycheck until mid-2026, making him the second-biggest earner next to Rafael Leao. Still, after an injury-plagued arrival in Italy, the Rossoneri faithful started questioning if he was worth the investment.

Through the turbulence, Milan legend and then-director Paolo Maldini defended him, saying: "Origi has everything to be a great footballer. He has physique, technique, speed, shooting, right, left. Watching him in training, we know what he can do," reports the Liverpool Echo.

Origi hit the ground running with a goal and assist in his debut game against Monza back in October 2022, but that early promise fizzled out as he struggled for form - scoring only two goals in 27 appearances throughout his first season with Milan. Consequently, then-manager Stefano Pioli sanctioned a loan move to Nottingham Forest for the 2023/24 season, looking to rekindle Origi's form.

However, the striker's dry spell continued in the midlands, failing to score in 20 league matches, and he returned to Milan this summer facing uncertainty about his career. In a major blow delivered by Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic in July, it was announced that Origi was cut from the first-team squad, downgraded to training with the reserves - although he has not stepped onto the pitch for any team since.

Ibrahimovic didn't mince words, explaining: "Divock Origi and [Senegalese defender] Fode Ballo-Toure are not part of our plans. They will be part of the youth team [in Serie C] as they're not included in our project." Over the summer, there were whispers of interest from clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but no transfer materialized.

Out of the sporting limelight, Origi has been working independently with a personal coach and has also stepped back from social platforms, having not posted on Instagram since his Tokyo visit earlier in the summer. Meanwhile, fans have spotted him visiting Rome solo and enjoying a game of padel in Florence.

The future is decidedly uncertain for Origi, who will surely be seeking regular first team football at the earliest opportunity. He's eager to return to the pitch as he navigates the twilight years of his professional career.

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