Tag: Divock Origi

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OFFICIAL: Divock Origi joins AC Milan after Liverpool exit

Mueez Ajao

– AC Milan have confirmed the arrival of Belgian attacker Divock Origi on a free transfer from Liverpool.

– The 27-year-old officially departed Anfield at the end of June following the expiration of his contract and has signed a four-year deal with the Italian champions.

– Origi scored a plethora of crucial late goals for Liverpool during his eight-year spell at the club, but he consistently struggled to become a regular starter of Jurgen Klopp’s.

Also Read: Thank you, Origi: Liverpool say as star player, 4 others leave

– Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were ahead of Origi in the pecking order at Anfield, and he was pushed further down the list by Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.

– Origi arrived in Milan at the end of last month to complete his medical and sign his long-term contract with the Rossoneri, who have now announced the striker’s signing.

– The former Lille and Wolfsburg man arrives at San Siro to compete with Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the attacking ranks, although the latter is out until 2023 after undergoing knee surgery.

– Following confirmation that Origi would leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp paid a special tribute to the Belgium international before their final game of the Premier League season against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

– “I expect Div to get a special reception. One of the most important players I ever had. He was and is a pure joy to work with,” Klopp told reporters.

– “It’s not over yet but he deserves all good thought we can generate for his future. He’ll be a success. I remember so many things when I think about Div. Goals, ups and downs. A Liverpool legend.”

https://twitter.com/acmilan/status/1544353447029444613?s=21&t=u_rA2f18B7PtpzqC1dY-6A

– Origi left Liverpool with 41 goals and 18 assists under his belt from 175 competitive matches, including his side’s second in the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

– Origi had previously scored a memorable brace against Barcelona in the semi-finals of the tournament, and he managed a respectable six goals and four assists from 18 outings in all tournaments in 2021-22.

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Derby hero Origi our ‘best finisher’ – Klopp

Mueez Ajao

– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on Divock Origi after he came off the bench to help his team to a 2-0 win against Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Sunday.

– Origi, who scored Liverpool’s match clinching second goal, often has to wait for his moments, but when given a chance he is often the difference maker as he showed again in a win that kept Premier League leaders Manchester City within touching distance in the title race.

– “He [Origi] is a legend on and off the pitch. Fantastic footballer, a world class striker and is our best finisher,” Klopp said after the match.

Also Read: Reds continue title charge with win over Everton

– “Everyone would say the same. You see this in training. It is a really hard decision to make to leave him out. Everyone loves Divock here.”

– Telling contributions in fleeting appearances have been Origi’s forte throughout his time at Liverpool.

– His 95th-minute winner against Everton in 2018 had coach Jurgen Klopp sprinting across the pitch in celebration, while he also scored a game-clinching second in the 2019 Champions League final, as well as a double in Liverpool’s famous 4-0 win over Barcelona that season.

– Origi has saved his best for Liverpool’s bitter rivals Everton, with his late header after coming off the bench at Anfield on Sunday putting the finishing touches on his team’s 2-0 win in a hard-fought Merseyside derby.

– It was the 27-year-old’s sixth career goal against Everton, at least twice as many as he has managed against any other opponent in his Liverpool career, while he has now scored 11 goals as a substitute in the Premier League, the most by a Liverpool player.

– “We are happy with the impact [from substitutes] all season,” Klopp said. “They come on with the right mindset when they come on. Luis [Diaz] and Divock were involved in the goals and that helps in tight football games.

– “We did not show up there in the first half. We had a lot of possession, the most of a Premier League game for us (over 86%), but we changed things in the second half.”

– His late winner in Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this season, a match where Klopp’s side had struggled to break down their determined hosts, is just another example of his impact.

– It could have all been so different at Anfield, had Everton been awarded a penalty when Anthony Gordon went down under a challenge from Joel Matip in the second half with the score at 0-0, a decision that infuriated coach Frank Lampard.

– “It was a penalty,” Lampard said. “I don’t think you get them here. I think if that is Mo Salah at the other end, he gets the penalty.

– “I am not trying to create conflict there, I just think it is the reality of football sometimes.”

– But it was not to be, with Origi stepping off the bench to help create the first Liverpool goal for Andy Robertson, before then putting the game to bed with yet another late strike.

– In such a tight title race, where Liverpool will need a slip from leaders Manchester City if they are to finish top of the pile this term, such contributions, off the bench, could make all the difference.

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Origi seals comeback win at San Siro over Milan

Mueez Ajao

– Liverpool beat AC Milan 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday night at the San Siro to send the Serie A side out of European competition for the remainder of the season.

– Fikayo Tomori opened scoring for the home side in the right before the 30-minute mark when he side-footed a shot home after Liverpool keeper Alisson palmed a corner kick right into his path in front of the net to give Milan a huge first goal.

– Liverpool struck back soon after when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s shot was saved but spilled to the path of Mohamed Salah, who finished with aplomb to level the score ahead of the break.

Also Read: Origi strikes late to send Liverpool top

– Divock Origi put Liverpool ahead shortly after the restart when a poor giveaway from the Milan defence sprang Sadio Mane into the area and his shot was blocked in the direction of the Belgian, who powered a header past Mike Maignan to make it 2-1.

– Jurgen Klopp’s side remained perfect in UCL group play with six wins from six matches, while Milan finished bottom of the Group B table, with Porto finishing third and headed to the Europa League.

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Origi is a legend – Klopp hails Liverpool match-winner

Mueez Ajao

– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could barely contain his enthusiasm on Saturday while reflecting on the impact of “cult hero” Divock Origi, who had just come off the bench to score a last-minute winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

– The second-half substitute latched on to a Mohamed Salah pass, smashing the ball into the bottom corner to break the deadlock and sink a spirited Wolves side.

– Origi’s goal sparked wild celebrations from the visitors, while Klopp ran straight to the centre circle to hug the striker after the full-time whistle. It was some way for the Belgian, 26, to mark a curious milestone – his 100th appearance as a Liverpool substitute.

Also Read: Origi strikes late to send Liverpool top

– “He’s such a great player, a great guy,” an ecstatic Klopp told BBC Radio 5 Live.

– “Coming on and contributing like he did today, scoring that goal – outstanding. I’m really, really happy for him.”

– Origi has become a fans’ favourite at Anfield, having already racked up an impressive portfolio of late goals for the Reds.

– His latest strike was his 10th as a substitute in the Premier League – no player has scored more from the bench for the Reds in the competition.

– His other memorable moments include the 87th-minute strike in the 2019 Champions League final and his winner in the closing stages of a 2018 derby against Everton.

– “Divock Origi, the legend, finished it off and it’s a great story,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

– “He’s an incredible striker. For different reasons, he has not played that often but I hope one day he finds a manager that plays him more than I do.

– “He’s one of the best finishers I’ve ever seen in my life. In this great team, with our front three, he doesn’t play all the time but he is a very positive boy, loves the club, wants to contribute, and he did in an incredible way.”

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Origi strikes late to send Liverpool top

Mueez Ajao

– Liverpool forward Divock Origi came off the bench and scored 94th-minute winner to edge past Wolverhampton Wanders at the Molineux Stadium on Saturday.

– Manager Jurgen Klopp’s side entered the match looking to capitalise on Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat away to West Ham earlier on Saturday, and they managed to see off Wolves despite a host of missed chances.

– The first half was a tense affair, with neither side managing a shot on target, although Mohamed Salah did find space at the back post after a brilliantly worked move, only to be denied a certain goal by Wolves defender Romain Saiss who intercepted and nicked the ball away.

Also Read: Liverpool destroy Toffees in the Merseyside Derby

– Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, playing against his former club on his 25th birthday, missed a guilt-edge chance in the second half as stepped past goalkeeper Wolves Jose Sa but could not find a way around opposing defender Conor Coady, who blocked the forward’s shot on the goal line. Klopp’s side missed another big chance, this time in the dying stages, as forward Sadio Mane failed to score from seven yards out following a deflected header from midfielder Fabinho.

– However, replacement Origi, who replaced midfielder Jordan Henderson on 69 minutes, struck the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box in the final moments of the match to secure three points for Liverpool.