Yahoo Sport 
Liverpool hero stuck in exile and forced to train alone despite $4.3m contract
After waving goodbye to Liverpool in the summer of 2022, Divock Origi's AC Milan stint has been a disappointment so far. During his eight years wearing red, Origi became a hero, finding the net 41 times and providing 15 assists in 175 games.
He won the Premier League and the Champions League under Jurgen Klopp's guidance. And when he left for Milan on a free transfer, the Kop faithful bade him an emotional, hopeful farewell.
However, tougher times have followed since joining the Italian side. Even though he's pulling in a handsome $4.30m (£3.40m/€4.10m) a year until 2026, making him one of Milan's top earners alongside Rafael Leao, injuries have cast a shadow over his time there, leading supporters to wonder if he was worth the outlay.
Despite this, Milan icon Paolo Maldini, serving as a director then, backed him to the hilt, once praising: "Origi has everything to be a great footballer. He has physique, technique, speed, shooting, right, left. Watching him in training, we know what he can do."
Origi's stint with AC Milan started on a high note, netting a goal and an assist against Monza in his first match back in October 2022. However, the initial spark soon dimmed as he found the back of the net just twice in 27 games during his debut season. This led to then-coach Stefano Pioli sending him off to Nottingham Forest for the 2023/24 season, hoping to reignite the striker's prowess.
But Origi's goal drought persisted in the East Midlands, failing to score in 20 league outings, and he returned to Milan this summer with his future up in the air. In a stark revelation by Milan consultant Zlatan Ibrahimovic in July, Origi was axed from the main squad and relegated to train with the reserves, without playing any matches since.
Ibrahimovic was blunt in his assessment, stating: "Origi and [Senegalese defender] Fode Ballo-Toure are not part of our plans. They will be part of the youth team [in Serie C] as they're not included in our project." Despite rumors of interest from Turkish and Saudi Arabian clubs over the summer, no move came to fruition.
Away from the footballing spotlight, Origi has been honing his skills with a personal trainer and has taken a step back from social media, with no posts on Instagram since his trip to Tokyo earlier in the summer. He's also been seen exploring Rome alone and playing padel in Florence.
The future is decidedly uncertain for Origi, who will surely be seeking regular first team football at the earliest opportunity. He's eager to return to the pitch as he navigates the twilight years of his professional career.
