15 Aug 2013

'He's decent, but...' - Lawro worried over 'lightweight' €10m LFC star. Possible flop...?

With four goals and three assists during the pre-season schedule, new Liverpool signing Iago Aspas has hit the ground running at Anfield, but Reds legend Mark Lawrenson believes that his quiet performances against Celtic is a major cause for concern.

In his column for the Liverpool Daily Post today, Lawro argued that the current LFC squad is not good enough to finish in the top four this season, adding:

"Iago Aspas was a bit lightweight against Celtic, but it is still early days for him.

"I saw him against Preston earlier in pre-season, and he looked decent, but the Premier League, though, is completely different.

"We’ll know a lot more about Aspas and Liverpool come Saturday afternoon".


It seems that Lawro has only watched two of LFC's pre-season games, and if that's the case, it's understandable why he's less than enthusiastic about Aspas, who cost Liverpool €10m. Anyone who's watched all seven games, however, will surely agree that the Spaniard is very impressive overall.

Yes, it's only pre-season, but four goals and three assists in seven games is a superb return. Short of scoring or creating in every single game - which is unrealistic - I don't see what else Aspas could've done to send out a positive message about his ability.

Since when is scoring/creating a goal every 63 minutes not a laudable achievement? Players can only score against the teams put in front of them, and so far, Aspas is doing an admirable job.

As for being 'lightweight' - I don't see how that judgment is fair on the basis of *one* game? What about the other six pre-season games? I don't recall many people calling Aspas lightweight whilst he was banging in the goals.

Having said all that, it's probably a good thing that the hype over Aspas is muted. The expectation and pressure on his shoulders is comparatively low right now (compared to, say, Coutinho) which may turn out to be a huge benefit.



NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)


82 comments:

  1. He's had one quiet game. Lawro should reserve judgement until he's watched a few more games. He'll soon get used to the Prem just like other players from La Liga and Serie A.

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  2. He will prove to be a steal and will provide more than what we got from Downing at less than half the price and wages.

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  3. imo still a great signing but for now true no point in overhyping all we can do is hope for the best come saturday

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  4. liverpool4life5657:40 pm, August 15, 2013

    Really light weight? Coutinho was supposed to be a light weight, look at how he done. Aspas is a smart striker knows how to position himself, he will be fine, :)

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  5. Lawro spouting crap again....perhaps if he actually watched the games....

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  6. It's not often I agree with Lawreson but he's right. It's fine scoring a goal against an Indonesia XI but I'd probably score against them too if I had some half decent service. We'll see what happens against Stoke but my guess would be that he'll be bullied off the ball all day long.

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  7. aspas is a quality player, and will definitely have a run at saturday - cant wait for the game :)

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  8. slightly pessimistic i´snt it?
    he was one of the best performers in pre-season, so i expect him to prove you wrong ;)

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  9. There's no doubt that Aspas looked lightweight against Celtic and that's what concerns me about the type of player Rodgers typically goes after. Nevertheless, he obviously has ability, time will tell whether there is enough there to contribute to a top 4 push. At least his work ethic is true, haven't seen enough of Alberto to decide upon his work ethic.


    What worried me more about the Celtic game is that some of the same problems we saw time and time again last season reared their ugly heads. Being caught out defensively despite controlling large parts of the game. Failing to break down the opposition, who, by the way, worked very hard and just generally looking short of ideas.


    It's just one match, it's preseason, but I don't think we can ignore deficiencies that we've seen time and time again, especially when they have not been adequately addressed through transfer market activity.

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  10. If we're talking about weight in the literal term, then yes, he's even lighter than sterling. However how he copes with the physicality will be seen - I'm sure he'll do better than sterling who is truly "light weight" and bullied off the ball easily. We'll see - too early to call, but has show promise.

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  11. It seems like FSG is dragging their feet for more signings so can only hope the 4 summer signings come good and the rest of the team can step up when it matters.

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  12. Typical of some people. Happens every year. A new forward comes in and the critics jump on his back if he doesn't hit the ground running. Give the fella a chance. So many great forwards have been slow starters and everyone deserves at least half a season before ANY judgement is made.

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  13. lawro is just edging on the side of caution.....shawcross and huth are two of the toughest defenders in the prem if he can hold his own against then ill be a whole lot more confident

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  14. and we have had forwards like morientes who got kicked once and vanished without trace

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  15. Lawro is an idiot never optimistic about anything and can't wait to put liverpool or England down at any opportunity I'm so relived that the bbc av finaly got rid of the grim speaker

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  16. tino like suarez is street wise when it comes to goading and tricking bigger opponents ....i honestly dont think it can be taught its an instinct

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  17. liverpool4life5658:23 pm, August 15, 2013

    Wouldn't call it dragging their feet, if players turn them down, BR is looking for more prestige players now but has had the door slammed in his face, hopefully we have a break through soon.

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  18. liverpool4life5658:24 pm, August 15, 2013

    True :)

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  19. you can use the term many ways...you can be 16 stone but be a light weight when it comes to influencing the game or imposing yourself on the game

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  20. Most of the players that LFC have signed under BR are light weight. Technically gifted and good players are generally not bulked up, they need to be swift and you can't expect Andy Carroll to be as swift as Aspas or Coutinho. I hope BR gives Assaidi a few more chances because there are many other fans like me who think that he has the skills to click in the PL.

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  21. Lawro never has anything positive to say about LFC.... So dour .. The guy has done well per season and is promising for the new season. Back the team! For heavens sake!

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  22. steve negative nichol8:34 pm, August 15, 2013

    lawreson is not a good pundit , and offers little expertise on football , i trust owen and carragher more

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  23. him nichol are negative , but i think it shows how much they care and are worried rather then all thoose guys like aldo who act like everything is great all the time

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  24. We will not make top 7 if we don't spend £35 million minimum and YES Suarez will be going - When Suarez goes FSG will have got every penny they ever spent back

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  25. Aspas will never be top drawer but will be a Garcia type which is a whole lot better than Downing

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  26. good at positioning himself and got an eye for goal. Its clearly visible that liverpool can't play lone striker.

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  27. Thats fine. You better prepare yourself for a rude awakening

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  28. Good old Lawro, never fails to murder optimism at every opportunity. seriously the man could suck the fun outta a clown academy. How's about we give the guy a chance to actually see what he's like, just like Lawro got when he came to LFC.

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  29. has lawro just been reading my comments ,and put them in the paper

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  30. Just because Lawro and Nicol take a more realistic, non-biased view of LFC doesn't make them 'negative'. Their approach is far more refreshing than the blind faith brigade's endless pro-LFC propaganda.

    Most of the stuff Nicol and Lawro say is reasonable and fairly accurate, but they get slapped down because their views don't match what fans expect.


    It's an ego thing at the end of the day. Fans like to hear pundits/ex players etc spouting views they agree with, and when they get the opposite, they don't like it.

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  31. liverpool4life5659:54 pm, August 15, 2013

    Willian said: "Now I'm hoping, of course, in the coming days to receive an offer from a club like Liverpool. If even Liverpool, it sure is a great club. I am hopeful and peaceful hoping for the best."
    "I love the Premier League, much like the style of English football, and certainly if it happens will be good for me, for my image. I'll grow professionally, it's a World Cup year and surely this will be a showcase for me. BR and Ayre should get this deal done quickly!!!

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  32. Probably my signing of the transfer window (so far fingers crossed). People will say our Belgian shot stopper or our ungrateful caninne are the best of the bunch, but I think Aspas will surprise a lot of people. His movement is excellent and he seems to have that knack of being at the right place at the right time; Chicharito anyone? He's leading my fantasy football line and with 50 quid on the table, I definitely have faith he'll deliver! Onto Saturday!!

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  33. Lawro says this like there are no big imposing center halves in Spain who don't play dirty. The kid WILL have to adapt to the pace and intensity of the prem as I can imagine it is a huge culture shock and a massive difference to the pace of the game against Preston. Good players adapt..... so he'll adapt.

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  34. I generally do not get excited/disappointed by how a player does on pre-season, or even the team themselves, in terms of quality or form. As pre-season isn't a reliable indicator of that, imo.

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  35. If pre season was an indicator of form Man Utd are going down this season OR will at least struggle. On second thoughts :)

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  36. ....And then they'll implement the transfer policy originally intended before KD got things his own way. Maybe, Just maybe this is a blessing.

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  37. Aspas looks like the player that Borini was supposed to be - a decent, hard working, squad player with an eye for goal.

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  38. I have to agree with Lawro...


    And it's a worrying trend with BR in that he seems to favour diminutive players (maybe he's a fan of The Hobbit)....I dread what will happen when we concede corners or free kicks...And at the other end, it almost seems pointless in winning corners cos we have so little height to convert them...


    Before gathering enough evidence, you often get a 'gut feeling' about new players. My initial gut feeling is that Aspas lacks the height, strength or speed to be a success in the Prem.


    But I'd be delighted if he proves me totally wrong...


    Peace

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  39. Time will tell if he cuts it in the prem at least give the lad a chance before anyone shoots him down, if bangs them in people will say 'what a bargain' and if he doesn't a £7mil flop is easier to take on the chin than a £35 million flop. I personally feel he will do pretty well but we'll see at the end of the season either way.

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  40. Couldnt give a rats ass about anything Lawro has to say about LFC

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  41. Again, I repeat myself. The only semi decent opposition we faced was precisely Celtic. No one cares if he scores hat tricks in the streets of Thailand; he must prouve his worth against competitive teams.......... lets see on Saturday

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  42. Willian prefers LFC over other clubs matey. He has himself made that statement to ESPN Brasil. :D :)

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  43. The prems getting less physical with all the tricky foreign players coming in year after year, I think he'll do pretty well, but every team needs that bit of strength for the battle hardened teams like Stoke and West Ham who still rely on a more physical approach as at times last season we did tend to get bullied more so in the midfield that's why I still feel we need a strong defensive midfielder to shield the back four and win back possession for the system we play to work more effectively who though is a different story all together.

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  44. Or maybe... just maybe... the man passing himself off as Jason Carr is actually Mark Lawrenson!!!!!

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  45. Agreed, Andy Carroll weighed the same as 10 men but would be outjumped or outmuscled by Evra!

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  46. To be fair I dont like aspas at all, he misses too many sitters very poor finisher, saw him missing many glory chances in pre season plus his dribbling is zero nowhere near to suarez. We need to get another top striker before august 31, anyway I see no chance for lfc finishing in top 6, just being realistic and saying what I feel, this squad is not a champions league squad, never.

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  47. I can see the stoke game being so frustrating from now like 0-0 or even a surprise from stoke, fsg have invested absolutey nothing this summer just bringing some average cheap players and thats it,very sad, we re about to live yet another sick and long season, when will lfc wake up???Imca

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  48. Ah yes, recall Rafael also winning a header against him, so too Pirlo in the Euros. What the...!

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  49. Imo, this is bad news for the money men at liverpool. The last thing they want is a player declaring an interest in coming to the club. Especially one that could cost up to 30 million. The transfer policy so far is to cut the wage bill.;)

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  50. liverpool4life56511:37 pm, August 15, 2013

    You and I know what you said it complete BS, FSG are getting rid of average players on big wages. Downing,Carroll,spearing,Jonjo. Reina deal was to send him out on loan because he wanted barca moved then that didnt happen he was happy to stay(no loyalty) that's why he gone. We've bid 21 millions to costa turned down, 24 million for Mkhitaryan he rejected us. 30 million for willian is fine, they are not scared of splashing the money as we've seen before with liverpool and Red Sox.

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  51. thats my big concern with rogers.....whether he likes it or not there are two primary ways to contact a ball in football with your head and feet when your team consists of players who are not very good at the latter you hamstring yourself......to build a fence you need a hammer and a saw not just a hammer

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  52. Give the guy a chance. That was pre-season. He was never bought to replace Suarez, just to be another option.

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  53. Downing said of Carroll:

    “I didn’t play with Andy as much as we would have liked (at Liverpool)
    but I am looking forward to it. His strengths suit me, crossing and
    having someone in the box who will head it. I know he is a favourite
    here so hopefully he can carry on his form.

    “He asked me if I was coming (to west Ham). I am glad he is here. He is probably happy I am here. He is a friend. If you are friends off the pitch you
    generally do well on it.”



    I know what your thinking......AMNESIA...... :)

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  54. liverpool4life56511:50 pm, August 15, 2013

    Sitters?:-) does any of them go really wide? No. It's on target and he scored enough goals in pre. Season to tell us he will do okay this season. Negative much. And the transfer window closed? NO. So you can't slate FSg either.

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  55. Get an haircut lawro! :)

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  56. when are we shipping out allen and borini then

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  57. That's just the nerves. I feel that way too. Lets just hope the players are relaxed and play freely without too much preasure, as this team seems to play its best football when in that situation, like second half of last season.

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  58. Is right m8!! May be hearing a lot more of his bollox now he,s had the bullet from MOTD :)

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  59. I dont see a problem with Aspas he should be a fairly adequate squad player what the main issue is that wheres the first 11 strengthened.
    Apart from Mignolet maybe its no stronger still need a C.B a Def Mid a left wing and a L.B all really capable first teamers.

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  60. liverpool4life56512:55 am, August 16, 2013

    Allen has done good in ore season so not likely, borini will get another season.:)

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  61. GREG you took the words out of my mouth.The frustrating thing is SPURS who are in the same no CL boat have bought very well and strengthened their first team.They narrowly missed out out on Champions League but will start slight favourites for 4th unless AFC pulls a rabbit out the hat.
    ARSENAL haven't bought anyone to get excited about but if a top striker is brought in they'll be fine.Both clubs can field better teams than ours.
    LFC have been trying to play catch up by making the bench stronger.Now we're starting to panic and it looks like we'll splash out in desperation.Whether we buy a quality player or a average one i can see us overpaying

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  62. Let's get one thing straight - he is better than Borini.

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  63. It's the pressure that is being put onto Coutinho that worries me. Remember he's barely out of his teens! I hope those expectations don't weigh him down...

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  64. you may be onto something there

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  65. Also i dont think their wages are that high either both around the 40 mark i think.
    and your right, i think they'll both get atleast another year

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  66. I do agree, i think BR has upgraded/replaced certain players Reina >Mignolet, Shelvey>Alberto, Carra>Toure and Downing>Aspas but i dont see how this has really strengthened the first 11.
    BR has said he's strengthened the squad now he's going after the first 11 but all we have seen is talk of competition at LB.
    For the record i hate transfer time and the last week or two usually drives me nuts, so i hope he gets it done quickly.

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  67. Bad grammar and poor spelling would easily separate the two.

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  68. They are the same size I think, so I can understand Lawro's point.
    Based on the fact Aspas has less class on the ball as Phillippe, who can use pure skilll to extricate himself from negative situations, Aspas is entering new territory against the likes of Stoke. Only time will tell, remember he was Michael Laudrups No 1 target, so he also felt he would suit the EPL.
    Heres to a successful season fellow Kopites, let the drama commence.
    YNWA.

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  69. I dont agree with a lot Lawro says or writes, but he speaks his mind, I admire him for that, I dont wanna hear the same tittle tattle from every Journo, filling column inches. The last thing we need is that, no papering over the cracks, say it as you see it, he knows quite a bit about the game, certainly more than me.

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  70. What type of Carr you drive Gil, ???

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  71. Try Ray, up above.

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  72. How do you build a fence without nails or screws, ???

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  73. i don't think the kid bothers about expectations or pressure but i fear he will be less effective if played out of position on the left, because he is much more effective through the middle.

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  74. If its justifiable I don't have any problem with the ex pros bring negative, but the guy has been at LFC a matter of weeks.. Wait for a few premier league, competitive matches before you write him off! Talk about jumping the gun!

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  75. It's true though - it was one of the frustrating aspects of Dalglish's reign. One would usually be subbed for the other, and if they did stay on the pitch at the same time, that was typically the time when Downing would be moved over to play on the right - they were terrible signings for LFC, but they should be able to prove good signings for West Ham

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  76. glen one day you will surprise us all and post about football sad man

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  77. Ha ha ha, made my morning

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  78. I really want to see the line-up that played the first games play together. the chemistry seemed superb. I think Sturridge is great but it's illuminating to me that the only game he started was the one we lost.

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  79. Well if you compare Aspas to Borini it's no contest.......

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  80. Ridiculous, I thought we we understood that the premier league is moving away from heavy set, powerful players because frankly football has evolved away from the 'hard man'. There are typically maybe one or two enforcers per team that are used in the really top teams.

    Strength and conditioning is just as important but I think players are caught out by the pace of the league not buy the size and strength of the players, if a player flops or fails it is not because they were strong enough it's because they simply aren't good enough, plenty of players of Aspas stature has succeeded in the prem 'lightweight' is an argument of a bygone era. I think people ragging on Borini should ease off as well, he may well turn out to be shit but hes been injured for 3/4 of a season had no real bedding in period. I'm 100% sure we haven't seen the best of the guy, i'm not advocating that he's a great or even good player but that we just haven't seen enough of him. 10 minute cameos simply aren't enough to judge a player.

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  81. Theycallmemrburt8:37 pm, August 16, 2013

    Yeah I agree to an extent. I actually think these guys will perform when the spotlight isn't on them as much. A front line of Jarvis Carroll and Downing isn't a bad focal point for for any mid table side.

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