Liverpool Reject Iago Aspas Reborn at Celta

Liverpool Reject Iago Aspas Reborn at Celta
10:36, 03 Apr 2017

Chances are that for many, Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas is synonymous with one moment - that frankly awful corner kick played right to Chelsea’s Willian during an ill-starred period at Liverpool.

Honestly, there was little else of note from his spell in the Premier League.

Indeed, the English-speaking internet was a murmur of mirth when he was called up for Spain against England last November. They were laughing even more when he came off the bench for his debut with his side trailing at Wembley.

By the time the final whistle came round, and Spain had snatched a draw courtesy of his outrageous strike, the joke was over. Finally, English fans were seeing what those of us who watch LaLiga already knew only too well: he’s not half bad, this Iago lad.

That strike came in a streak of 10 in 10 successive games for the forward.

Born in Moaña across the bay from Vigo, Aspas always dreamed of turning out for Celta. So keen was the youngster that he even lied about his age to secure a trial at the club. His goals fired them back to the top division after a five-year absence in 2012.

The following season was a struggle and when he was sent off for a headbutt after 28 minutes into a heated derby defeat to Deportivo La Coruña in April, they looked doomed. Instead, they survived by the skin of their teeth on the final day, revelling in the fact that their hated rivals Depor went down in their stead.

And his performances had led teams across the continent to take note. Eventually, he was on his way to Liverpool, while the arrival of Luis Enrique as manager saw his former side embark on a new chapter of their own.

The bond was strong: Aspas fought back the tears as he bid goodbye to the only club he’d ever known.

But despite an excellent pre-season it never worked out for him at Anfield. That aforementioned corner turned him into a comedy figure; and with Luis Suárez, Daniel Sturridge, and Raheem Sterling is scintillating form, he barely got a look-in.

He departed for Sevilla the following summer without registering a single Premier League goal, but endured further frustration as he failed to dislodge Carlos Bacca and Kevin Gameiro from Unai Emery’s starting XI; this despite excelling when given game time in the Copa del Rey.

His career had come to a crossroads, while Celta had gone from strength to strength. Having finished ninth in Luis Enrique’s solitary season at the helm, they’d just gone one better and finished eighth under his successor Eduardo Berizzo. It was time for a reunion.

The signs that it would prove fruitful came fast and early. Aspas netted twice as they smashed Luis Enrique’s treble-winning Barcelona 4-1 at Balaídos in September. The side became a neutral’s favourite, and with Aspas netting 18 across all competitions they reached the Copa del Rey semi-finals and finished sixth to seal a return to European competition after a decade.

This season he’s already struck 21 times, with his 15 in the league making him the second highest scoring Spaniard in the major leagues after Diego Costa.

Once again he was on the scoresheet as they blew Barcelona away in the autumn. He came off the bench for Spain last week in their wins over Israel and France; but it’s what happened just before the break that marked the sweetest moment yet.

That was when they made the 90 minute trip north to La Coruña for the Galician Derby. Back to the scene of the crime. They would come away with all three points, and this time he scored, taunting the home fans who’d heckled him mercilessly all afternoon as he celebrated the only goal.

‘From stigmatised to decisive’ ran the Monday headline in La Voz de Galicia.; ‘A universal footballer’, gushed El País. After the game on television, he was overcome with emotion.

“I fit in in here,” he began. “I feel this shirt, and I grabbed the badge just like with any other goal I score for the club,” he said in relation to his provocative gesture.

“That’s 21 for me, but I’m more pleased that I helped my team again.”

They host Las Palmas on Monday before travelling to Valencia on Thursday with slim hopes of finishing in the top seven to return to the Europa League. But they are still very much alive in this season’s edition as Spain last representative, where they face Belgian side Genk in the quarter-finals.

The fabled EuroCelta side of the turn of the century made it this far three times in four years. Can the Celeste go one better this season? 

One thing’s for sure. With Aspas leading the line, and with a talented supporting cast, they will fear no-one. 

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