Divock Origi left Liverpool this summer in search of a permanent place at AC Milan. What was supposed to be a continuation of the adventure at Anfield ended in a difficult time in Italy.
The Belgian has struggled with injuries, and the striker has only played sporadically from the bench so far. Olivier Giroud appears to have ended up ahead of him in the queue at the San Siro, and in yesterday’s column in the Daily Mail, Italian journalist Alves Cagnazzo hashed the 27-year-old’s signature.
– There is no doubt who is the worst signing in the Italian league this season. His time in Milan has been a disaster so far, Cagnazzo opens his column with .
Origi did not play for the Italian club in the lead-up to the match due to injury. He returned against Udinese on August 13, but was injured again before the match against Sassuolo two weeks later. At the end of the week he missed another match due to another injury.
The striker’s early months in Italy were marked by injuries and misfortune, which also limited his chances on Merseyside. He’s 27 and should have been at the height of his career, but it looks like he’s already on a downward curve, continues Cagnazzo.
You must impress as soon as possible
At Liverpool, Origi became a cult hero, but he didn’t provide big numbers for Jurgen Klopp either. He ended up scoring 22 goals and 10 assists in 107 Premier League games on Merseyside. It’s a stat that smells of burning.
– In Italy, he risks these numbers being worse and more similar to those of a midfielder than to a striker, writes the journalist.
Football is a new commodity, but putting a stamp on Origi’s transfer as early as September could be in the first phase. However, it’s not something Cagnazzo has any problems with doing. He thinks Milan may feel they made a mistake in signing the Belgian. The striker is also one of the highest paid players in the club.
The feeling about Origi is that he lost the opportunity to impress Beulo. The Milan boss is beginning to understand why he’s leaving Liverpool on a free transfer, Cagnazzo concludes.
Divock Origi and AC Milan will meet Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday. The uncertain 27-year-old is heading into the match.
Seating and a little playtime
Nor was it an easy transfer for Takumi Minamino, who also left Liverpool this summer. The Japanese have traveled to Monaco for more playing time, but so far it doesn’t look like a move is quite suitable for the winger.
Minamino was able to enjoy good confidence at the start of the season, as he was, among other things, part of the team that exited the Champions League qualifier against PSV Eindhoven. In his first league appearance he was injured, and in the second round he was left sitting on the bench.
The Japanese started with a 1-4 loss to Lens on August 20, but were substituted after just 55 minutes. He also started against Troy, but was then substituted half time. In the last two rounds, he was sitting on the bench. In the opening match of the Europa League in Monaco against Rod Stern, Minamino started, but was substituted again at the start of the second half.
So far, the grass doesn’t look greener on the other side for the former Liverpool players.
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