Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi was booed by AC Milan fans last night, after failing to score against Empoli.
Origi was given just his seventh start of the Serie A season by Stefano Pioli, with Milan looking to cement their top-four position.
But as per Calciomercato, things didn’t go to plan. The Italian outlet describe the forward as being a ‘negative protagonist’ – missing two ‘clear’ chances and generally playing poorly.
As a result of this disappointing performance, Origi was subbed off with 20 minutes to play. But the humiliation reportedly didn’t end there for Divock. As he left the field to be replaced by Olivier Giroud, the Belgian is said to have been ‘booed loudly’ by the Milan fans.
Origi’s displays since joining from Liverpool have been openly questioned by Calciomercato, who label the 27-year-old as an expensive ‘problem’ for Milan.
Origi leaves his comfort zone
In truth, this was always likely to happen to Origi. Without the credit in the bank that he had at Liverpool, he needed to join a team who could look past his limitations.
Perhaps in hindsight a move to Milan was never the right step. Maybe signing for a club where he would have been a starter straight away would have been better. That way he could have at least played his way into form. As a supreme finisher the goals will come if he gets minutes on the pitch.
But with expectations high and Stefano Pioli’s side failing to back-up their Scudetto last season, San Siro is not a happy place to be right now.
Amid a back-drop of underachievement, Origi was never going to win the fans over. His lackadaisical approach and laidback manner is hard to warm to when things aren’t going well.
The Belgium international was in the perfect place at Anfield. Given what he’d done for the club, people barely batted an eye when he’d drop a stinker. Jurgen Klopp used him just enough to make him valuable without needing to address the fact that he isn’t a top-level striker.
You have to wonder if, given the chance again, Origi would have signed up for another couple of years at Liverpool. Klopp would surely have kept him and he could have been useful this season. He isn’t the only former Red struggling in new pastures this season. But this appears to be the nadir. Keep your head up, Div. YNWA
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