IAGO Aspas arrived at Anfield without much fanfare.
The former Celta Vigo forward was not quite the signing that got pulses racing. Many fans at the time were hoping for a bigger name, more of a marquee signing that ultimately did not come, but were nevertheless pleased to bring in a new attacking player early in the window.
The hope was that he would settle in as quickly as Coutinho did, and have an immediate impact.
The signs were certainly positive in pre-season, scoring 3 goals, working hard for the team, showcasing good movement, solid technical ability and a real understanding with Liverpool’s other forward players.
So far this season Iago Aspas is yet to really impress and with the signing of Victor Moses might find himself on the bench more often than not if he doesn’t improve his performances.
Iago played well in the win against Stoke. The team played well. Stoke not quite being sure whether they should play the old Tony Pulis way or the new Mark Hughes way, allowed many Liverpool players to have more time on the ball than they would otherwise have expected, and Aspas benefited.
The main development area for Aspas from a game Liverpool dominated was perhaps that his finishing lacked a bit of guile. He missed a couple of good chances where perhaps a more seasoned top level finisher would have dinked the ball over a diving keeper or rounded the keeper to slot home. However it was a good debut.
Against Villa Aspas worked hard but, particularly in the second half, struggled to get into the game and find space. His meagre frame did not allow him to hold the ball up effectively and, with Coutinho also finding the going difficult, Liverpool relied heavily on Sturridge for an attacking threat.
Iago’s performances dipped even further against the Old Enemy from Manchester. In an excellent result for the Reds, on the back of a solid first half and committed defending in the second, Iago was probably Liverpool’s weakest performer. He struggled to get into the game in either half and looked very much like the occasion got to him.
It is hard to criticise a new player too much, playing against the Champions and many experienced top professionals in his first season in the Premier League is always going to be difficult. As in the Villa game he was visibly upset when substituted, perhaps knowing he had failed to impress having wanted to do well.
Aspas has shown enough that he can be a good squad player for Liverpool, but will need to improve in order to hold down a regular first team place. With Moses already accustomed to life in the Premier League, and the incomparable Luis Suarez joining the fray after the final two games of his ban, Aspas will have fewer opportunities to start.
First and foremost he really does need to bulk up. A lack of height need not be a limitation to strength on the ball, just watch Sergio Aguero or Carlos Tevez play. Aspas is waspish in stature and needs to learn to shield the ball better when under physical challenges, for example being prepared for the surreptitious push in the back or shoulder charge.
Coutinho despite his slight frame is nevertheless able to spin past a player by rolling them, or with a quick dance of his magic feet to move away and keep the ball. Against Man Utd, the United defenders, in particular Rio Ferdinand, regularly got the better of Aspas. He was not the only one to be out-muscled. Raheem Sterling struggled against the pace and strength of Antonio Valencia on the other flank.
With Aspas unable to hold onto the ball against United, we consistently gave the ball away and invited more and more pressure. It was only on the occasions the ball came to the feet of the in-form Sturridge did our defenders have a respite. Moses and Suarez are not so easily knocked off the ball.
All in all, with just three games gone, I have been impressed with how quickly Aspas has learnt to interchange positions with our other forwards, and find space when he’s given the opportunity. He needs to become more adept at dealing with the physicality, understand better when to hold width rather than always coming inside, and gain some more composure in front of goal. There’s nothing like a few goals to calm the nerves of a new forward. Oh, and he has to stop holding up imaginary cards trying to get opposition players booked!
It’s all part of a cultural and football acclimatisation that Iago Aspas is only just beginning.
You can catch more from me on my own blog: http://taintlessred.blogspot.co.uk/
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nice read, looking forward to suarez and moses. hoping against hope that we ve a buyout clause on moses
Thanks. I read that there’s no buy clause in the moses deal, but I guess we can never really trust the papers 😉
early days
looking at the next 6 fixtures Liverpool could be leading the pack race sitting comfortably at the top of the table and giving the supporters something to be cheerful of and instilling some steal and belief into the players that top 4 is very much achievable with hard work.
Next 6 fixtures:
Swansea (a)
Southampton (h)
Sunderland (a)
Crystal palace (h)
Newcastle (a)
West brom (h)
Fingers crossed. The fixture list looks okay, and with Suarez back we should do well in these games.
Aspas had problems holdingon to passes that came his way in the MU game but i would give him more games and see if he relaxes a litle. He realy works hard and I thnk he will come better.
True. I think 3 games in there’s still some nerves, and playing ManU is difficult for anyone. Hoping he kicks on in the next few fixtures but still don’t think he’ll start too many games once Suarez returns with moses also here.
Aspas will come good, he need more time in the gym and extra training. I trust that dimmunitive to come good. YNWA
Aspas is here only as backup for Suarez. LFC fans please expect more from that little fella…
Can see him being another Borini, loaned out ‘cos we can’t sell him
Absolute rubbish regards the Man United game their whole back four had no idea how to cope with his interaction with the other front men and constant harassment,this lead to them to give the ball away regularly and as a result as soon as he went of the United team did not have to worry about him closing them down
that sounds like you talking about coutinho and am sure of it. ain i?
Peter That’s very true. I see somebody was watching the game lol.
Borini & Assaidi are out on loan developing their games. Both still young and promising. What Assaidi does for stoke this season could be key to wether we decide to keep him.
Work in progress ? …isn’t that just a polite way of saying he is rubbish ?
…. Looks like another Borini to me.
Top of the League!!!
Aspas was a good buy . Not a lot of cash for a player with big heart. A bit like kuyt.
How on earth can you compare him to Dirk? the boy needs to shape up fast!
Couldn’t agree more. He works his socks off – Worth every penny.
Aspas was in the perfect position for two tap ins against utd but Sturrige never made the very simpe passes.
Absolutely the first minute Sturridge could have layed one on a platter for him but went himself and the same in the stoke game Henderson tried to shoot past thousand defenders when a simple pass was sufficient . I feel he has been very unlucky. With a bit more composure from other players in the team he should have had a few goals . His work rate is fantastic he fights for everything . Great signing. Just needs a little more time to settle
In time he will find his foot
Give him time, I think he’s a great signing, very glad to have him.. Obviously needs time to adapt, but a lot of his work off the ball is good, yet goes unnoticed! Personally, I like him a lot!
Aspas is good to confuse defenders coz of his constant attacking ability,but he only needs to improve on his finishing ability to help when brought in as a substitute
I feel sturrige is selfish at times aspas could have scored easily if had the ball from sturrige.Howard I agree with u.
Aspas is a good buy.watchout soon is a joker
daniel is doing gud but always pass the ball to aspas
He is abit nervous coach must calm he down and relax,he will improve gradually as he had prove in spain.
Aspas is a nice buy,but nids to b given the ball at tyms.He will will flourish for sure….!!