Liverpool Transfers: Five players Liverpool should sell in 2014

3. Iago Aspas

Brendan Rodgers bought Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo weeks before the current season began which meant that he had a good acclimatization period to adapt to the philosophy of the manager as well as the ways of the club. He played the pre-season with relative success scoring goals and filling his boots. Naturally, he was in the first team when the season began as Luis Suarez served his suspension on the sidelines. Wearing the legendary no. 9 jersey at Anfield, he was poised for success but it wasn’t to be. He was pushed, trampled upon, battered as he failed to adapt himself to the physicality and the speed of the Premier League. His performances were characterized by misplaced passes, repeated loss of possession and lost battles. Since there is nothing worse than having a team that doesn’t trust the player at the head of the pitch, he was naturally sidelined until the FA cup game against Oldham in which he found some reprieve. Playing against a lesser side, Aspas saved himself from becoming the second no. 9 at Liverpool who failed to score in an entire season (a dubious distinction held by El Hadji Diouf). It remains to be seen if that performance instills confidence in him but I do not see him as a player who can play the Champions League for us next year.

Aspas might not find many more chances in the Premier League given that Sturridge is likely to make a return next week. He will have his chances in the FA cup but will that be enough to convince Liverpool supporters? I don’t think so. At age 26, he should have been a finished article who had goals in him at this level. Swansea are reportedly interested in his signature and recovering the 7 mn. fee that Liverpool gave for him would be an achievement.