The Weirdest Football Story You'll Read Today: Liverpool's Biggest Flop Gets a Statue

By Lewis Barnett 11 June, 2025 5 mins read 64 Views

I've been covering football for eight years now, and this one made me do a double-take.

So picture this: you're walking up to a potential 2030 World Cup stadium in Spain, excited to watch some matches, and BAM – there's a statue of Iago Aspas staring back at you. Yes, THAT Iago Aspas. The guy who gave us possibly the worst corner kick in Premier League history.

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When Your Hometown Loves You (Even If Liverpool Didn't)

Look, I get it. Aspas is basically football royalty in Vigo – 214 goals for Celta across two spells will do that for you. The man's 37 now and still banging them in. Fair play to him.

But here's what kills me: this statue is going up outside Estadio de Balaidos, which might host World Cup matches in 2030. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are co-hosting the whole thing, and visiting fans from around the world could be greeted by... well, Liverpool's most awkward signing from 2013.

Club president Marian Mourino actually said this with a straight face: "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."

Bobby Charlton. Iago Aspas. Same sentence. I can't even.

That Corner Though...

April 2014. Chelsea at Anfield. Title race on the line.

Liverpool are trailing 1-0 in the 91st minute – you know, when every second counts and you're throwing everything forward. Corner kick. This is it. Last chance saloon.

And Aspas... God, poor Aspas... plays a side-footed pass straight to Willian like he's setting up a training drill.

The collective groan from Anfield that day probably registered on seismic equipment. I still cringe watching it on YouTube (don't ask me why I torture myself like that).

Numbers Don't Lie

His Liverpool stats are genuinely painful: ONE goal in 15 appearances. One! That's like spending $50 on a fancy dinner and getting a single chicken nugget.

Meanwhile, back home at Celta? The guy's basically Messi. Different level, different confidence, different everything.

Plot Twist: He Actually Gets It

What I respect about Aspas is that he's not bitter about the whole Liverpool thing. Back in 2017, he told the Daily Mail: "The corner is the last memory they have of me but football always gives you another chance."

He even joked about wanting to knock Manchester United out of Europe "for the happiness it would bring to Liverpool supporters too." That's... actually pretty classy?

The Bigger Picture (Or Should I Say Statue?)

Last month, his 80th-minute winner against Getafe secured Celta Europa League football for next season. At 37! The man's still delivering when it matters.

So yeah, maybe he deserves that statue after all. Just imagine explaining to your kids in 2030: "Well, that's the guy who once passed a corner kick directly to the opposition, but he's actually a legend here."

Football's weird like that.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Premier League?

Premier League is a top-tier English football league. It's also one of most popular and highly competitive domestic leagues. It is played by twenty teams and follows a system of promotion/relegation in conjunction with the English Football League. Each team competes annually. They play 38 matches (home or away) and the season runs typically from August through May. The Premier League has a global following and is known for high-quality football.

How has Premier League evolved from its creation?

The Premier League has evolved significantly since its creation in 1992. The Premier League was formed in 1992 as a breakaway group from the Football League, to capitalize on lucrative television deals. Since then, they have grown into a global sport phenomenon that attracts talent from all around the world. They have undergone branding changes and seen massive revenue increases. In addition, the league has seen advances in sports science, stadium technology, and training facilities.

What role does the Video Assistant Referee play in the Premier League?

In the Premier League the Video Assistant Referee System (VAR) is used to help on-field referees make the right decisions in cases such as goals, penalty decisions and direct red cards. The VAR reviews footage of the incident in question and advises the referee, who then has the option to view a replay on the pitchside monitor before making the final decision. The system attempts to minimize the human errors which could impact the outcome of a football match.

How does Premier League affect the English national team?

The Premier League is a major player in developing English football talent. Many Premier League players are selected to the English national football team. They contribute their skills and experiences in international competitions. The national team is said to benefit from the competitive nature of this league, as well as the quality and quantity of its players. The high number and quality of foreign players in the league has led to debates about how this affects English players' opportunities to get regular first team football.

How do you determine the Premier League champion?

The Premier League champion is the one who has the most points in the 38 game season. A team receives three points if they win, one for a draw and zero for losing. If two teams have the same amount of points at the end of the season, the winner will be determined by their goal difference. If the teams still are level, then a game at a neutral ground may decide the title. But this scenario is not known to have happened in Premier League.

Statistics

Chelsea established the Premier League’s greatest goal difference of +71 in the 2009–2010 season, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive strength.
The record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season by a player is 32, achieved by Mohamed Salah during the 2017-2018 campaign.
Manchester United holds the record for the most Premier League titles, having been crowned champions 20 times.
Durability is exemplified by Gareth Barry who made an impressive 653 Premier League appearances, the highest number to date.
The 2018–19 season saw Manchester City accumulate a staggering 100 points, setting the record for the highest total in Premier League history.

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How To

How to collect Premier League memorabilia

Collecting Premier League collectibles can be a fun hobby that connects you to the culture and history of your team. Decide what kind of memorabilia you are interested in, such as matchday programs or autographed items. Visit online auctions, sports memorabilia stores and official club shops. Ensure that you purchase signed items from accredited dealers to ensure authenticity. Consider investing in long-term storage or preservation framing for special items.