Image Credits: Imago Images
For Liverpool fans of a certain age, it is always bittersweet seeing the footballers we grew up with announce their retirement. It reminds us of a simpler time and magical memories growing up but also is a sneaky reminder of just how old we are getting.
Over the past few months, plenty of ex-Redmen have hung up their boots for the last time. Former Anfield favourite Mamadou Sakho announced his retirement at the Parc des Princes last month, with the Frenchman having already laid the foundations for a successful life after the game through his burgeoning property business based in Dubai – Sakho & Co.
And now another ex-Liverpool man in Iago Aspas, currently playing out the twilight of his career in Spain with Celta Vigo, has suggested his time as a professional footballer could be coming to an end.
When quizzed by Spanish outlet AS whether he could retire at the end of the season, Aspas could not give a clear answer:
“I don’t know. As you well know, I haven’t set a date. It will depend on how I feel. I have a very good relationship with Marco (Garcés). When I make a decision I will talk about it with him or we will have a coffee. Whether it’s one way or the other, I’ll be eternally grateful,” he said.
“I handle the [physical aspect] quite well. It is true that football is more physical now than it was 8, 10 or 15 years ago. I’m feeling good and participating in almost every game, whether it’s in many of them as a starter and in others a little less from the bench. I’m very happy.”
Aspas’ time at Liverpool was brief and never quite lived up to the excitement that greeted his arrival from Celta Vigo in the summer of 2013. Signed for around £7m after a breakout season in La Liga, he was handed the iconic No.9 shirt and billed as a clever, mobile forward who could ease the burden on Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge.
Instead, the Spaniard struggled to adapt to the physicality and pace of the Premier League and quickly slipped down Brendan Rodgers’ pecking order.
Injuries and limited minutes stalled any momentum, and he finished his only season on Merseyside with just one goal, in an FA Cup tie against Oldham Athletic, and no league goals in 14 top-flight appearances. With opportunities drying up, Aspas was loaned to Sevilla and later sold permanently for roughly £4m, drawing a line under a move that simply never clicked for player or club.
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