Liverpool's new Spanish striker Iago Aspas, pictured in action on October 5, 2012, marked his debut with a goal in Saturday's 4-0 friendly win over Preston at Deepdale. (AFP/File)
LONDON (AFP) – Liverpool's new Spanish striker Iago Aspas marked his debut with a goal in Saturday's 4-0 friendly win over Preston at Deepdale.
Aspas signed from Celta Vigo for ??7.7 million ($11.6 million, 8.9 million euros) during the close-season and he gave a glimpse of why Reds manager Brendan Rodgers was so keen to land him with a fine second-half strike against the League One side.
The 25-year-old curled home Liverpool's final goal as they eased their way back into action in their opening warm-up, a fixture organised in honour of Reds' legendary manager and former Lilywhites player Bill Shankly.
Philippe Coutinho, Jordon Ibe and Raheem Sterling were also on the scoresheet for Liverpool in scorching temperatures touching 30 degrees.
There were appearances for Liverpool's new Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, signed from Sunderland, while Ivory Coast centre-back Kolo Toure also featured following his arrival from Manchester City.
Rodgers's two Spanish imports Aspas and Luis Alberto played the second half, with Aspas's 20-yard left-foot curler for Liverpool's fourth in the 75th minute the highlight.
Luis Suarez, reportedly keen to engineer a move away from Anfield, was absent after being given extended leave following his Confederations Cup duty with Uruguay.
Rodgers did not speak to the media after the match, wanting to avoid an inquisition over the 26-year-old for whom the club have already turned down a ??30 million bid from Arsenal.
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