Ex-Liverpool star Klopp called 'legend' banished to youth team by Man Utd icon

Liverpool icon and Jurgen Klopp favourite Divock Origi has been banished to AC Milan's youth team by ex-Manchester United man Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Origi left behind a legacy at Anfield when he departed in 2022, having scored in the Champions League final and that remarkable Barcelona fightback along with several other notable late winners.

The Belgian was dubbed a legend when he bid farewell to the club. However, the iconic Ibrahimovic, now in an advisory role with AC Milan, has sent Origi to be with the club's youth sides.

Joining AC Milan from Liverpool, a loan move to Nottingham Forest last season only saw him bag a single goal, and it is clear that the marksman has fallen dramatically out of favour in Italy.

Speaking to media in Italy, the Swede said: “Divock Origi and Fode Ballo-Toure are not part of our plans. They will be part of the Youth team as they’re not included in our project."

Origi first made the £10million move to Anfield in 2014 after rising through French club Lille's academy by way of his native Belgium. A loan back to Lille and another spell with Wolfsburg two years later followed before the 2018/19 season that saw him shine.

The aforementioned Barcelona brace and the goal that sealed the Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid meant that he'd achieved cult hero status at the club.

Upon the striker's departure in 2022, Klopp commented: "He is, and will be for me, forever a Liverpool legend - one of the most important players I ever had. That sounds completely strange with the amount of games he had, but it is, and was, a pure joy to work together with him.

"Everybody in the team loves him because he was just a relaxed guy and a really lovable guy. I remember so many things when I think about Div that’s incredible; the important goals, the injuries... bad injuries, and all these kinds of things - all the ups and downs. He is a Liverpool legend, no doubt.”

Now, that legend finds himself relegated to his Italian club's academy. The matter is made worse for Reds fans as ex-United striker Ibrahimovic is the one who announced the change.

Origi is now left with little choice but to find a new club. It was reported that he was offered to teams last year before a lack of suitors saw him join Forest on loan. A permanent deal is more than likely as Origi is still contracted to the club until 2026 so would be sat in the reserves should he stay. During his time in Milan, he has only netted two goals in 36 matches.