Liverpool have been fortunate to boast some remarkable talents in recent years. From homegrown stars like Steven Gerrard and Trent Alexander-Arnold to world-class signings such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Luis Suárez, the club’s recruitment has been exceptional. Few teams have matched their success in the transfer market, with only a handful of players failing to make an impact.
One of those rare misfires came under Brendan Rodgers in 2013, when Liverpool spent around £9 million to sign Iago Aspas. Despite high hopes, the Spanish forward never truly settled at Anfield, featuring only a handful of times before moving on. Ironically, he went on to thrive elsewhere.
Aspas’ Brief and Difficult Spell at Liverpool
After rising through the ranks at Celta Vigo, Aspas earned a reputation as one of La Liga’s brightest attackers. His prolific form caught Liverpool’s attention, and he made the switch to Merseyside in 2013. The move began promisingly—he scored and assisted in a preseason game against Preston North End, drawing early praise from Rodgers, who described him as a hardworking and exciting player with a natural eye for goal.
However, once the competitive season began, Aspas struggled to find rhythm in a side led by the prolific duo of Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge. He didn’t score his first official goal until January 2014, and his playing time quickly diminished. Rodgers defended him publicly, emphasizing the need for patience as the Spaniard adapted to the physicality and pace of English football.
Despite those reassurances, Aspas never managed to turn things around. After just one season, he was loaned to Sevilla and permanently sold the following year for roughly half of his original fee. In total, he left Liverpool with just one goal in 15 appearances—a disappointing return for a player once seen as a promising addition.
Revival and Stardom Back at Celta Vigo
Aspas’ fortunes changed the moment he returned to Celta Vigo. Back in familiar surroundings, he rediscovered his scoring touch, netting 18 goals in his first season back. Since then, he’s been nothing short of sensational, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer and one of La Liga’s most consistent forwards.
Across his second spell with Celta, Aspas has scored over 200 goals, consistently ranking among Spain’s top attackers. His tally of 166 La Liga goals even surpasses the legendary Samuel Eto’o (162), placing him 18th on the league’s all-time scorers list.
Despite his struggles in England, Aspas remains gracious about his time at Liverpool. Reflecting on that period, he admitted he simply couldn’t compete with the likes of Suárez and Sturridge but understood his role in a team that nearly won the Premier League.
“It was their best year in a decade,” he said. “When you see your teammates winning, you know you just have to work harder in training. I learned a lot, and I have no regrets.”
From a Liverpool flop to a Celta Vigo legend, Iago Aspas’ story is a testament to resilience and finding success where you truly belong.
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