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The absence of Luis Suarez for the first six matches of Liverpool's season promised to afford Iago Aspas a bit of a settling in period--the Spanish striker had a promising preseason campaign, notching four goals and showing clever link-up throughout the forward line. Seemingly an immediate upgrade on Stewart Downing, Aspas also was encouraging when deployed centrally, and while the absence of Suarez left a void few could fill, there was a sense of comfort that Aspas was around.
Unfortunately he hasn't recaptured that preseason promise; part of it is certainly down to a lack of time at his favored position up front, and another part is that he's been overmatched nearly every time he's made an appearance in league. There's now yet another part today, as the club confirm that he suffered a thigh injury in training yesterday and will be out until the beginning of December.
Just yesterday we were discussing when his next opportunity would come, and with fixtures piling up in the year's final month, it seemed that he'd be offered another chance--at least beyond a few minutes as a substitute--as Liverpool fight their way through a crowded month. Thankfully that still appears to be a possibility, though a little over a month out will likely demand another adjustment period before he gets back up to match fitness, and in the short-term Liverpool are left without their only backup striker in the senior squad. Fun while it lasted, depth.
It has to be discouraging for a player who's yet to produce his best at Liverpool, but hopefully his return in December is accompanied by improved form and a positive impact on the squad as a whole. And I suppose it could be worse, via James Pearce at The Liverpool Echo. Silver linings?
Just to confirm Aspas has torn his thigh muscle NOT ruptured his rectum. Will be out until late Nov/early Dec
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) October 18, 2013