What Fabrizio Romano has said about Origi is turning heads at Liverpool

Liverpool’s shortage in attack has sparked debate over short-term fixes, and an unexpected familiar name has suddenly resurfaced. Fabrizio Romano revealed on X that Divock Origi will be available as a free agent from January after agreeing to terminate his contract with AC Milan. The 30-year-old has been outside Milan’s plans since the summer of 2024 and has not featured in their squad.

Viewed in isolation, it’s a routine update — but in Liverpool’s current circumstances, it carries far more weight. The Reds’ attacking depth has been severely stretched at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Alexander Isak has already undergone surgery after fracturing his fibula while scoring against Tottenham, with no confirmed return date. Mohamed Salah remains away at AFCON, Cody Gakpo is sidelined, and Jayden Danns is still short of full fitness. As a result, Arne Slot is left with limited senior options through the middle.

Against that backdrop, Romano’s update feels difficult to dismiss.

Ironically, Origi’s last competitive appearance came against Everton in April 2024 during a loan spell at Nottingham Forest. Across 22 matches, he managed one goal and one assist in just 754 minutes. Since then, his career has stalled, training with Milan’s youth setup and remaining completely detached from the first team since mid-2023.

The raw numbers may be unremarkable, but Liverpool supporters know Origi has never been defined solely by statistics. Between 2015 and 2022, he made 175 appearances for the club, scoring 41 goals and providing 17 assists — often delivering when it mattered most.

Jurgen Klopp once captured Origi’s unique value perfectly, explaining that the coaching staff felt no need to overload him with instructions, choosing instead to “let him fly” on the grandest stage against Barcelona. That faith was repaid with two iconic goals on one of the most unforgettable nights in club history.

Any short-term return would not be driven by nostalgia alone. It would provide experience, valuable minutes, composure in the dressing room, and perhaps a proper farewell for a player whose legacy is already secure — while also offering Origi a chance to relaunch his career.

With injuries mounting, key absences ongoing, and fixtures piling up, Romano’s update has reignited a discussion that suddenly feels far more realistic than it did only weeks ago.