Divock Origi once again turned in a super-sub display against Everton on Sunday – but the time is right for him and Liverpool to move on.
When Liverpool signed Origi from Lille in 2014, few could have really expected him to have this kind of impact.
Sure, the Belgian striker had shown potential in France and even scored at the World Cup against Russia.
Yet having scored just eight goals in a season-long loan spell back at Lille, few were really expecting big things.
A loan spell at Wolfsburg didn’t inspire either but Origi has managed to make himself a cult hero at Anfield.
Think about some of Origi’s finest moments in a Liverpool shirt.
That last-gasp winner against Everton in December 2018, pouncing in the right place at the right time to embarrass Jordan Pickford and send Jurgen Klopp wild.
That performance against Barcelona; 3-0 down from the first leg, Liverpool needed a miracle and a hero to advance.
Origi stepped up, scoring early before arguably the most iconic moment of his time at Liverpool, sweeping home that famous Trent Alexander-Arnold corner to send Liverpool through.
There was even more to come in that season. Origi Chasing the Premier League title, Liverpool risked dropping points with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United before Origi headed the late winner.
Come the Champions League final, Origi buried the crucial second goal in the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Having been the hero against Barcelona, Origi got his crowning moment in the final.
Origi may have faded away with the signings of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, but the emotional moments somehow keep coming.
The late goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in December gave Liverpool a dramatic 1-0 win.
When called upon against Everton on Sunday, with the score locked at 0-0, Origi conjured up an assist and the game-sealing goal.
You sometimes wonder just how Origi keeps doing this. When the big moments come, he just seems to be there; he’s inevitable, which is amazing for a player who is down the pecking order.
Out of contract this summer, it felt like Sunday’s cameo was possibly the last great Origi display in a Liverpool shirt.
AC Milan are calling and it’s time for Origi – now 27 – to go and play first-team football elsewhere.
As much as Liverpool and Klopp would no doubt love for Origi to keep sitting quietly and then popping up with these memorable moments, the Belgian needs more.
Klopp branded Origi ‘world class’ on Sunday and the Liverpool boss knows that he will miss his impact in the biggest moments.
Klopp also knows that he just can’t give Origi a bigger role at the moment, and that’s why a heartfelt parting of the ways is imminent.
The Champions League and Premier League are still in sight for Liverpool, so let’s see if Origi can conjure up a couple more pieces of magic before saying goodbye.
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