Liverpool FC News: Divock Origi FORCED out of AC Milan squad & stripped of number

Liverpool icon Divock Origi's miserable move to AC Milan has hit a new low, with the forward banished to the Italian side's youth team and stripped of his squad number. 

After an incredible spell with Liverpool, which involved scoring in the Champions League final and winning the Premier League, Origi left Anfield in 2022.

The Belgian, who became a cult hero on Merseyside for his clutch goals, joined Milan on a free transfer, but struggled to make an immediate impact in Italy.

In fact, Origi scored just twice in 36 appearances for the Rossoneri in his debut season, and was shipped out on loan to Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest last term.

There was an option to buy in that loan deal but Origi was similarly underwhelming in the Midlands, with Forest passing up the opportunity to make him a permanent member of their squad.

The 29-year-old scored just once in 22 appearances for Forest and has now returned to Milan.

MILAN BANISH DIVOCK ORIGI

Former Milan legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is now a senior adviser at the club, confirmed that Origi is no longer a part of the Serie A outfit's future plans and is currently training with the youth team.

As Milan begin their pre-season campaign under new boss Paulo Fonseca, it was confirmed that Origi was no longer a member of the club's first-team squad.

As reported by CalcioMercato, Ibrahimovic stated: "Origi and [Fode] Ballo-Toure have been called up, but they will play for Milan Futuro [the reserve team]. They are not part of the first team project."

Milan Futuro play in Serie C (the third tier) and Origi has subsequently been stripped of his first-team squad number. It seems inevitable that he will now make a Milan exit this summer.

It's disappointing to see such a lovable figure reach a new low in his career, but there are bound to be clubs interested in the experienced striker this summer - even if further down the football pyramid.

The 32-cap Belgium international will be searching for the sixth club of his career in the coming weeks.