Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has tipped Divock Origi to be a success away from Anfield.
The Belgian striker has been consistently linked with a move away from the Reds this season after his contract entered its final year. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has previously admitted that he was surprised the 26-year-old did not command more attention in the transfer market, with his minutes limited due to the club’s impressive forward options.
In recent months, Origi has been widely reported to be attracting interest from several Serie A clubs, including AC Milan , and Benitez believes the striker could rejuvenate his career in Italy. Both Benitez and Origi have won the Champions League with Liverpool and the Spanish coach has backed him to thrive elsewhere.
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“Yes, also because the player’s [Origi’s] talent is unquestionable, he has excellent potential,” Benitez told Gazzetta dello Sport, as reported by Sport Witness . “The biggest unknowns are always related to the speed of adaptation.”
Origi has seen his game time slowly diminish over time following the arrivals of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, with the forward restricted to just five starts and 14 appearances overall this term. However, he has been effective whenever called upon for Liverpool . Registering five goals and three assists in all competitions, he has averaged a goal involvement every 69 minutes, according to Transfermarkt.
Jurgen Klopp described Origi as a 'legend' after his last-minute winner against Wolves in December and his place in Liverpool folklore is assured after his starring role in the club’s path to Champions League glory in 2019. A player for the big occasion, Origi scored twice in the famous 4-0 semi-final win over Barcelona before grabbing the decisive second goal in the final against Tottenham Hotspur.
