Liverpool fans will probably remember Roberto Soldado as the joke figure who couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo during his two-year stint with Spurs.
So me reporting that the former Tottenham failure could be unavailable for next week’s Europa League semi-final first leg probably doesn’t seem like important news.
But it is!
Spurs Soldado is dead and Spanish Soldado is back in business.
During his final season at White Hart Lane, the former Valencia goal machine scored only twice and provided just one assist in 31 Premier League and Europa League appearances.
Back then, Soldado was trying to perform the Fernando Torres role, using his pace and finishing skills to be his side’s primary goal threat. It didn’t work!
However, Soldado has reinvented himself this term as a creative no.10. He now has more assists – 11 in La Liga and the Europa League – than any other Villarreal player, while he has also chipped in with eight goals.
Put simply, Soldado is a boss.
So, this Soldado injury news could genuinely be a big deal for Liverpool, who play Villarreal at the Estadio El Madrigal in just eight days.
Soldado may be fit by then, but he is clearly facing a race against time.
The 30-year-old posted this image on Instagram earlier today, confirming that he will miss tonight’s game against Real Madrid.
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Soldado scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Real earlier this season.
Villarreal are fourth in La Liga and – although they are probably not as good as Dortmund, who Liverpool saw off in the quarter-finals – the Yellow Submarine must not be underestimated.
And – if he plays – nor should the man once known as Goaldado!