Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi has announced his retirement from football at 31, bringing an iconic career to a close.
Origi was never Liverpool’s most consistent forward, but he was one of their most inevitable big-moment players. He scored goals that changed seasons, ended derbies, completed comebacks and helped deliver the Champions League.
According to The Athletic, the former Liverpool and Milan forward is stepping away because he feels his “purpose in the game is fulfilled”, with plans to focus on other interests including fashion, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
Here are five of his greatest moments in a red shirt.
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Divock Origi’s best moments in a Liverpool shirt
5. Borussia Dortmund comeback goal
Origi’s Liverpool legend did not begin in Madrid or against Barcelona. It really started during one of Jurgen Klopp’s first great European nights at Anfield.
Liverpool were 2-0 down on the night and 3-1 down on aggregate against Borussia Dortmund in the 2016 Europa League quarter-final when Origi pulled them back into the tie early in the second half.
It was the goal that made the impossible feel possible, before Philippe Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren completed one of Anfield’s great modern comebacks.
4. Newcastle late winner
The 2018/19 Premier League title race was brutal, and Liverpool had no room for mistakes when they went to Newcastle in May 2019.
With the game locked at 2-2 and the pressure rising, Origi came off the bench and helped force the late winner, flicking Xherdan Shaqiri’s free-kick in via Jamaal Lascelles.
It kept Liverpool’s title push alive for one more day. Manchester City still got over the line, but Origi again showed his habit of appearing when the stakes were highest.
3. Everton winner
Origi’s Merseyside derby winner in December 2018 remains one of the most chaotic Liverpool goals of the Premier League era.
Jordan Pickford somehow failed to deal with Virgil van Dijk’s sliced effort, the ball dropped onto the bar, and Origi was there in the 96th minute to head in from almost underneath the crossbar.
It was bizarre. Klopp sprinted onto the pitch, Anfield lost itself, and Origi’s cult-hero status truly started forming.
2. Champions League final goal
It is easy to forget just how tense the 2019 Champions League final felt before Origi sealed it.
Liverpool had been ahead since Mohamed Salah’s early penalty, but the game was not truly over until Origi collected the ball in the box and fired a left-footed shot into the far corner.
That goal confirmed Liverpool’s sixth European Cup. For most players, scoring in a Champions League final would define their career. For Origi, it only comes second.
1. Corner taken quickly
There was only ever going to be one winner.
Barcelona came to Anfield in 2019 with a 3-0 lead, Lionel Messi and a place in the final seemingly secured. But Origi scored early, Georginio Wijnaldum added two more, and then came the moment from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Corner taken quickly… Origi.”
That goal made it 4-0, completed one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history and sent Liverpool to Madrid.
Origi did not have the careers of Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino, but no Liverpool fan will ever forget what he gave them.
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