Alexander Isak missed Liverpool's defeat at Brentford due to injury.placeholder image
Alexander Isak missed Liverpool's defeat at Brentford due to injury. | Getty Images
Liverpool may have been presented with an unexpected answer to their Alexander Isak injury blow
On the day Liverpool confirmed Alexander Isak had undergone surgery, another announcement hundreds of miles away aligned with the news.
The Reds have potentially been given an unexpected lifeline as they prepare to be without their record signing for ‘at least a couple of months’. Isak has suffered a broken leg after scoring just his second Premier League goal for his new club.
The Frenchman, who has been a very successful summer signing for the Reds, is now the only fit senior centre-forward on Arne Slot’s roster. Not only are Liverpool working their way back up the Premier League table but they have Champions League football to focus on as well.
Liverpool given potential transfer lifeline following Alexander Isak injury
Reports are now suggesting Liverpool could pursue a new striker in the January transfer window to plug the gap left by Isak. A loan move would be the most likely, to provide short-term cover and support for Ekitike. In what has emerged as a stunning coincidence, Anfield hero Divock Origi is now available to sign as a free agent. Media in Italy reported on the same day as Isak’s surgery confirmation that Origi had been released by AC Milan.
Gazzetta reported that the Belgian forward and the club had agreed to terminate his current deal early, which was due to expire next June. Origi had been frozen out of the Milan squad and had not played for the side since May 2023. He returned to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest on loan during the 2023/24 season and was ousted to the Milan Reserves side upon his return.
Origi was even training totally alone away from the club with his own personal trainer. He reportedly had to stay in Italy due to tax reasons during this time. Now, more than 600 days after his last appearance, Milan have confirmed they have severed ties with Origi. Following the initial media reports, the club has released a short statement of their own to draw a line under this chapter.
“AC Milan can confirm the termination of Divock Origi's contract by mutual consent. The Club would like to wish him all the best for the future,” Milan wrote on their website on Tuesday.
Could Liverpool re-sign Divock Origi?
During his time at Liverpool, Origi established himself as a fan favourite and an iconic player, despite spending the majority of his time at Anfield as a back-up option. The Belgian is most favourably remembered for his contributions to Liverpool’s Champions League triumph 2019.
His performance against Barcelona in the semi-final second leg at Anfield has etched itself into the club’s folklore. Origi scored two goals during that match, including his iconic ‘corner taken quickly’ strike which secured Liverpool’s legendary 4-3 aggregate comeback win over Barcelona.
The striker also scored in the final against Tottenham Hotspur, securing the trophy after Salah’s earlier penalty. Origi is also well-loved by Reds fans for his 96th-minute winning goal against Everton during the 2018 Merseyside Derby.
While his recent run in Italy and even on loan with Nottingham Forest left a lot to be desired, Liverpool players and fans know exactly what Origi is capable of. The Reds aren’t looking for another marquee striker to challenge for a starting spot, but more to cover Ekitike, provide rotational options, and come off the bench to change the game when needed.
Origi has already shown he can provide all of those things in a Liverpool shirt. He’s also in need of a confidence boost, and what better place to find that than a club with fond memories and familiar faces? Could this crazy alignment of timing be the sign a sensational Anfield homecoming is on the cards for a club hero?
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