“I called to convince him but he openly told me he’s an Arsenal fan…He has decided ruin his career, he’ll regret it”: Liverpool coach Arne Slot names ONE player flattering rejected Liverpool’s bid to join Arsenal
Arne Slot has revealed that Liverpool wanted to sign Martin Zubimendi due to his ability to play between the opposition’s pressing lines. The Reds seem set to miss out on a deal for the Real Sociedad midfielder.
The Daily Mail reported earlier this month that Arsenal are set to win the race to sign Zubimendi in the summer. The Spain international was understood to be close to joining Liverpool ahead of this season, only to U-turn at the last moment.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have impressed as Liverpool’s two No. 6s this season. Slot has explained the positions he asks both players to adopt, and revealed what Zubimendi would have been told to do after admitting that Liverpool’s interest was an “open” secret.
“I prefer them to [receive] the ball behind those two,” Slot said, referencing positioning his two No. 6s between the first line of the opposition’s press and their midfield.
“These two (Liverpool’s deeper midfielders) are so important that we can find them behind those two (the first line of the opposition’s press), instead of asking the ball over here or there or there (wide).
“We prefer them to keep more in midfield.
“I even think the player that we wanted to bring in – I think it’s out in the open that much – was also a player that was really comfortable, is still a player that is really comfortable on the ball and can bring the ball from our last line to our forwards.”
Liverpool have fared well without Zubimendi and are six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand over second-placed Arsenal. Darwin Nunez’s two added-time goals against Brentford sealed a 2-0 win over Brentford on Saturday.
A draw against the Bees would have been Liverpool’s third Premier League stalemate in a row. However, Slot insists he is not concerned because the patterns of all the games have fallen in his side’s favour.
“I focus on my own team, so let’s not focus on the teams we faced,” the Dutchman said.
“But if you look at the amount of chances created and I think you are all a bit aware of xG, do me a favour and look back at our United game and see what the xG of both teams was, and do this against Forest and do this today. Then you will probably see that nothing has changed with us between now and the first half of the season.”
