Liverpool are on their way in 2024/25 after winning their first official pre-season friendly of the summer.
It was a big day for the Reds, as new head coach Arne Slot took charge of the team for the first time in-front of fans. Real Betis were the opponents at Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium.
As pre-season often is, though, the game itself was slightly subdued and a little lacking in excitement. But we were still given a clear idea of how Slot wants Liverpool to line up.
What was most obvious from the 1-0 win was that the Dutchman is keen to use the Liverpool midfield in a slightly different way to Jurgen Klopp.
With two sitting deep in a double pivot rather than one out-and-out holder, we think Saturday’s game showcased exactly what Slot now needs to do in the transfer market.
Liverpool should sign Martin Zubimendi
The Liverpool midfield has recently undergone a massive transformation. Four players were brought into the first-team squad last summer.
As well as that quartet, Liverpool have a raft of other options and youngsters like the impressive Trey Nyoni coming through.
Nevertheless, it does still feel as though the Reds are missing a top-level defensive midfielder. Wataru Endo has done a good job since arriving a year ago, but Saturday’s game suggested that his future at Anfield could now be a short one.
Endo was poor against Betis. The 31-year-old looked sluggish and off the pace but the main issue was his inability to find the right pass quickly.
READ MORE: ‘Unbelievable’ midfielder is not in Arne Slot’s plans and wants to leave Liverpool
Endo has been at his best for Liverpool as the anchor of the midfield. Tenacious in the tackle, he has tended to win the ball back before passing responsibility onto another, more technically gifted player.
When playing as the deepest of a three-man midfield, this is fine. But with less players in the middle of the pitch, each player takes on more of the passing duties. Unfortunately for Endo, it was clear that this is not his game.
In our opinion, this is now the most obvious area that Slot will look to strengthen in what’s left of the market. And from our point of view, no one would be better suited than Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.
Although still a slightly more defensive midfielder, Zubimendi is a delightful passer and user of the ball. In some ways reminiscent of the great Xabi Alonso, the Spaniard could slot in perfectly to Slot’s system.
How likely is Martin Zubimendi to join?
As well as fitting nicely into what Slot is trying to do, Zubimendi is very get-able in terms of price this summer.
The 25-year-old’s stock has never been higher after winning Euro 2024 with Spain, but Zubimendi has a release clause of around £51m. That could represent value to Liverpool.
As we’ve seen before, the Reds like to operate where release clauses are present as they know exactly what they’d need to pay without getting into drawn out negotiations.
The one thing that still could be an issue in Zubimendi’s case is that he loves Real Sociedad. As a lad from San Sebastian, it is his team and he has come through the ranks there.
“He has always been very happy at Real Sociedad. It’s his city, it’s his country, so that’s why Zubimendi is not an easy deal,” journalist Fabrizio Romano told Give Me Sport on Friday.
Not easy, but not impossible. If Liverpool can tempt him with their project, then Zubimendi would surely be the answer to Slot’s midfield prayers.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
