With Divock Origi set for a transfer to Italy, who are his potential replacements
The 26-year-old Belgian striker has provided iconic moment after moment for Liverpool, but it appears the love story is coming to an end. According to sources, Divock Origi is set to sign for Italian giants AC Milan on a free contract this summer. While this is saddening, Origi deserves to be playing first-team football regularly and he will not be given that opportunity at Liverpool.
More on Divock Origi. Liverpool have no plans to extend his contract and he wants to try a new challenge. AC Milan are confident to complete the agreement soon. 🔴🇧🇪 #ACMilan
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 22, 2022
Talks are progressing with his agents, final details to be discussed in the next days. ⤵️ https://t.co/a7yHihpANe
Origi, the coolest man on the pitch, will live on forever in the club’s history and will certainly never be forgotten, Barcelona fans may never forget him either, but what does life post-Origi look like?
There have been several names mentioned as possible replacements so let’s take a look at who may be on their way to Anfield in the summer.
Ismaila Sarr
Perhaps the name with the most traction behind it is young Premier League striker Ismaila Sarr. The Watford standout has a similar playing style to Origi and is a few years younger. Like Origi, Sarr can be used on either of the wings and has no problem playing as the target man. In his 16 Premier League appearances this season, he has managed to score five goals and assist once. These aren’t the most impressive numbers, but he plays on one of the worst offensive sides in the league this season. Insert him into the attack-minded lineup that Liverpool boasts, and we could see him catch fire.
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak is another young prolific striker that has proven he can score at the highest level. Isak is only 22 years old and is certainly one of the best young players in Europe. Since signing with La Liga’s Real Sociedad in June 2019, Isak has scored 41 goals in 122 appearances. The Swedish international plays through the middle as a target man, so he would be an ideal replacement for Origi. Liverpool would have to fight fellow Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester United for Isak’s signature, but this would be a signing well worth the fight. Isak is already a top talent, but he will get better with age and Liverpool would be the perfect place for him to reach his full potential.
Adam Hlozek
The youngest of the bunch is 19-year-old Adam Hlozek. There have been a few rumours over the last year suggesting Liverpool would sign Hlozek, but the Czech striker remains at Sparta Prague. The young playmaker has been loving life in the Czech first league, scoring 31 goals and tallying 31 assists in his 87 league appearances and 10 league championship appearances. Hlozek has the skillset to play anywhere across the front three but does most of his work as a centre-forward or left-winger. While I don’t expect Hlozek to sign and receive regular first-team minutes right away, there is a lot of promise in the Czech forward and this would be a signing for the future. He has all the makings of a wonderkind so hopefully we see him in a top league soon, preferably in the Premier League with Liverpool.
Replacing Origi will be no easy task, but it must be done if he is to move away this summer. A young, promising forward would bring some depth and versatility to Liverpool’s front line. Sarr, Isak and Hlozek are all fine options, and each offers a unique playing style. The hunt for Origi’s replacement will surely be one of the more anticipated signings for Liverpool this summer.