Liverpool manager Arne Slot revealed that the club’s attempt to sign Spain midfielder Martín Zubimendi was unsuccessful. He also downplayed concerns about Liverpool being the only Premier League team not to make a new signing this transfer window.
“It’s not always true that if you bring in new players the team becomes stronger,” Slot said on Friday, just before he manages Liverpool’s first league game of the season against promoted Ipswich.
Slot, who is leading Liverpool into a new chapter after Jurgen Klopp’s departure, discussed the club’s efforts to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in his pre-match press conference.
Zubimendi, a defensive midfielder who helped Spain win the European Championship last month, was seen as someone who could improve what is considered the weakest part of Liverpool’s team.
“I said many times I think our squad is strong and it’s not easy to find players who can help us or can even strengthen the squad,” Slot said. “Zubimendi was one of them, to be fair, but he decided not to come.
“In the background, (new sporting director) Richard (Hughes) is trying to strengthen the squad as he can but unfortunately Zubimendi decided not to come. He tried everything to bring him in, but if a player doesn’t want to come, it’s obvious he is not coming.”
Chelsea, Aston Villa, West Ham, and Manchester United are among the teams that have spent a lot on players this transfer window, which has caused frustration among some Liverpool fans who are disappointed by the club’s inactivity in the market.
However, title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal have each only signed one new player so far—Savinho and Riccardo Calafiori, respectively—and Slot doesn’t seem worried.
“I truly believe on the training ground you can help teams to improve. That is also what happened here in the recent years,” he said.
“Maybe you mean if the clubs around you do strengthen, their teams become better but it’s not always true … I also believe, in general, every player in the squad needs to have perspective on playing time and if you keep bringing in players, sometimes the energy in the group goes down as well.”
