Premier League flop to get STATUE outside proposed World Cup stadium – as star’s club labels him the ‘best player’ in their history

By LUKE POWER

A Premier League flop who scored no goals in the division is set to be remembered for years to come with a statue.

The striker was ranked the third-worst player in Liverpool’s history – admittedly rather harshly and with recency bias – after struggling to adapt to the language and culture. 

But Iago Aspas is a legend for Celta Vigo and their president has revealed plans to build an effigy outside their Estadio Balaidos.

That could see his imposing figure staring down at England stars as the ground is a proposed venue for the 2030 World Cup, hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. 

Aspas moved to Anfield for £6million in 2013 but his only goal in 15 appearances came in the FA Cup against Oldham.

He was then shipped out to Sevilla on loan for his second season on Liverpool’s books before moving back to Celta. 

Liverpool flop Iago Aspas is set to be immortalised in a statue outside Celta Vigo’s ground

He only scored one goal in 15 games for the Reds but is a legend for his Spanish club

Celta Vigo’s Estadio Balaidos (pictured) is a proposed venue for the 2030 World Cup 

A homeboy to the heart, Aspas had felt homesick when he moved the 16 kilometre distance from his fishing village of Moana to Vigo, so switching country was always going to be a struggle. 

Liverpool even allowed him to invite a group of his best friends over to help him acclimatise but that didn’t help him integrate or crack the language. 

It’s a different story for Celta, though. In the right environment, Aspas is a prolific forward. The striker, 37, has now scored 214 goals for them across 524 appearances.

‘When we were in Manchester, there was a statue of Bobby Charlton in front of the stadium (…) The same will happen here with Iago Aspas,’ said club president Marian Mourino. 

Mourino also hailed him as ‘the best player in the club’s history’.

His form in LaLiga has seen him capped 20 times by Spain down the years and he has scored six goals for them.

He scored against England on his Spain debut at Wembley in 2016 in a 2-2 draw. 

An overriding memory for Liverpool fans, though, may be of Aspas’ woeful corner against Chelsea in 2014 in the game that killed off their title hopes. 

Aspas’ only goal for Liverpool came in the FA Cup third round in a 2-0 victory over Oldham 

The infamous corner came as Liverpool were chasing the game in stoppage time. 

It needed to go into the danger area instead it went straight to Willlan on the edge of the box leaving exasperated team-mates gesturing, arms outstretched. 

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Premier League flop to get STATUE outside proposed World Cup stadium – as star’s club labels him the ‘best player’ in their history

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