John Aldridge Reflects on His Departure from Liverpool
John Aldridge, one of Liverpool’s greatest goalscorers, recently opened up about his departure from the club. Despite spending just two and a half years at Liverpool, Aldridge’s name holds significant weight among supporters due to his exceptional skills on the field.
Aldridge’s time at Liverpool was marked by incredible achievements. During the 1987/88 and 1988/89 seasons, the lifelong Liverpool fan scored an impressive 60 goals in 92 appearances, contributing to the team’s victories in the First Division and the FA Cup.
However, despite his remarkable record, Aldridge was sold to Real Sociedad while he was at the peak of his career. This decision was made as Ian Rush reclaimed the No. 9 shirt.
The Emotional Interview
In a heartfelt interview on Virgin Media Sport, Aldridge expressed his confusion regarding his departure. He admitted that he had no idea why coach Kenny Dalglish sold him, stating, “Not a clue, not a clue. When Rushie came back – he was a great player, my mate – I was quite happy to fight for my place.”
Unfortunately, Dalglish had different plans for Aldridge. The striker recounted how Dalglish informed him that he had to leave because he would be sitting on the bench for the entire season. Aldridge found this decision strange considering his outstanding performance over the past two seasons. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation.
The Final Straw
There was one incident that sealed Aldridge’s fate at Liverpool. Prior to the 1989 Community Shield, Liverpool’s first team played against the reserves. Aldridge played for the B team and gave an exceptional performance, even scoring a goal.
However, after the match, he was informed that he had to play another game that night against Stafford Rangers, a team he had previously faced during his South Liverpool days. Exhausted and unable to sleep, Aldridge confronted Dalglish the next day and expressed his frustration. This incident marked the beginning of the end for Aldridge at Liverpool.
Life After Liverpool
It is important to note that Aldridge’s departure occurred during a difficult time for the club. The aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster had taken a toll on everyone, including Dalglish. Aldridge went on to become the first non-Basque player to join Real Sociedad.
Before leaving, Aldridge had an emotional farewell at Anfield. He was brought on to score a penalty in Liverpool’s memorable 9-0 victory against Crystal Palace. Reflecting on that moment, Aldridge revealed, “When I ran off, that was one of the most emotional moments of my life. I had to lock myself in the toilets and calm myself down a little bit because I knew it was all over for me.”
John Aldridge’s departure from Liverpool may have left a sour taste, but his legacy as one of the club’s greatest goalscorers remains intact. His incredible contributions to the team will always be remembered by fans and supporters alike.