Jamie Carragher has shared his honest reaction as Liverpool fail to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Real Sociead were expecting to lose Zubimendi, who for all the world looked like he would be a Red for the new season.
Liverpool won’t look for a Zubimendi alternative, despite having been working hard to land a new number six this summer.
Arne Slot now has a huge decision to make, with the summer transfer window soon coming to a conclusion.
Moreover, the new season is rapidly approaching, with Liverpool taking on newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Jamie Carragher reacts as Liverpool miss out on Martin Zubimendi
Zubimendi looked likely of being Slot’s first signing at the club, with the Reds having been very quiet in the window so far.
But a deal for the 25-year-old Spain international has failed to come about, with Anfield icon Carragher sharing his verdict on the situation.
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“To be honest it’s not a great look for Liverpool,” Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast. “They have gone for this sitting midfield player who is a different type of sitting midfield player to Jurgen Klopp, who went for Fabinho. This guy was more of a footballer, technical player.
“A lot has been made of bringing the old regime back in terms of getting deals done and transfers done. It was always made out ‘we’re the best in class, we are the best in the business’.
“And listen they did a great job but to not get the first deal done for the new manager, the optics are not great. It doesn’t look good at all and it’s a position Liverpool have been looking for for three seasons.”
Who will Arne Slot play in defensive midfield at Liverpool?
While it may not be a great look for the Reds, the powers that be at Anfield may not look elsewhere for an alternative.
Liverpool aren’t blessed with a world-class number six, but there are a handful of players Slot could turn to this season, who may not let him down.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai from his girlfriend to net worth
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have all proven they can occupy a deeper role in midfield, while Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic are not the worst back-up options in the world.
Wataru Endo meanwhile filled in the gap admirably last season, while Slot may even be tempted to copy Gareth Southgate and play Trent Alexander-Arnold further forward.
Liverpool fans will, however, perhaps want their club chiefs to head into the transfer market for a new face, given both the failed Zubimendi deal and the need to keep pace with the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal.
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