Burnley are among a host of clubs interested in signing Milan striker Divock Origi, whose former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has never been shy about his admiration of him.
Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi looks set to leave Milan this week after just one season with Burnley among the club’s weighing up a move for the Belgian.
Origi has been described as a “ Liverpool legend” by Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who has frequently spoken of his admiration for the striker. However, the striker has struggled to find form since exiting Anfield a year ago – scoring just two goals last term for the Rossoneri.
The 25-year-old made 36 appearances across all competitions for the Milanese giants but only ten of those were in the starting line-up. He now is set to be on the move again this summer, with Serie A trio Torino, Udinese, and Bologna among those who hold an interest.
Origi is a cult hero at Anfield, having played a key role in their 2019 Champions League final victory by scoring twice in their dramatic comeback win over Barcelona in the semi-finals and netting the second as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in the final.
As per Foot Mercato, newly-promoted Burnley may offer the striker a surprise opportunity to return to the Premier League. Clarets boss Vincent Kompany played alongside Origi at international level for Belgium for several years and is thought to be keen on a deal.
After Origi scored a last-gasp goal as Liverpool won narrowly at Wolves in December 2021, Klopp said of the striker: “Divock Origi, the legend, came and finishing it off for us. He is an incredible football player. To create these moments he does not need a big run-up. He was a threat before he scored. That goal we have seen often in training.”
Klopp even went as far as to describe Origi as one of the best finishers that he had ever seen in his life and highlighted his belief that if the striker was at any club other than Liverpool, he would be playing regularly in attack.
“If I was at another team I would have gone for him,” Klopp explained. “Just because you are not playing for Liverpool does not mean you are not good. Top striker and a top boy. He has already scored some of the most important goals in the history of this club.”
In April last year, months prior to his Anfield exit, Klopp reiterated his admiration for Origi. “We will never miss a player more like him because if he leaves, he will explode wherever he goes,” Klopp said of Origi after the game. “He is a world-class striker, he is a legend and will stay a legend forever.
“He doesn’t always make the squad which is ridiculous, but he is there when we need him every time. He was involved in both goals; everything that we did in the second half, without Divock, wouldn’t have happened.”
