Liverpool hero made available on a free transfer just two years after leaving Anfield

Once hailed as a “world-class” prospect by Brendan Rodgers, Divock Origi finds himself with an uncertain future as AC Milan signalled that he’s available on a free transfer. The Belgian forward was brought to Liverpool under Rodgers’ tenure in 2014, only to be loaned back to Lille for another year.

He would later return to play a critical role at Liverpool, not least his memorable goal in the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham.

Despite these heroics, consistency eluded him at Anfield during Jurgen Klopp’s reign, leading to a switch to San Siro after additional loan stints at Lille and Wolfsburg. After a less-than-successful period leading to a temporary move to Nottingham Forest, Milan is prepared to cut ties without a fee.

Interest bubbles from the Saudi Pro League and across the pond in the MLS.

Rodgers, now at Celtic Park, might not seem keen on reliving past glories with Origi. Nevertheless, Origi’s potential that so impressed the Irishman years ago, as a fresh-faced 19-year-old nabbed from Ligue 1, remains an indelible part of his early career narrative.

Faced with replacing Luis Suarez then, Rodgers expressed immense faith in Origi, telling the Daily Mail: “There are very few players who can replace Suarez.

“When you look at the availability of other players during the summer, it was something that was difficult for us. It’s no good now I know but we took a player in Divock Origi who we believe will be world-class and we’ll get him in the summer.

“Now he is a top player. He has everything: the speed, the profile and so on and he (could) play (for Liverpool) now.

“Divock is a big talent. He is one that when we signed him, part of the deal was that he had to stay at Lille. He had broken through to the Belgian team as a youngster, showed his talents and we spotted him.

“We had him at Melwood, the scouting team there had a wonderful presentation showing him from 15 years of age and we showed him how we would like to progress his game.

“He is a great talent. He hasn’t been allowed to show it as much as he would like because of the talent that is there, but he has shown his talent in the week and against Newcastle on the weekend as well. He is a great guy, he has a dad who had a great history in the game as well.”