How Liverpool privately feel about missing out on Martin Zubimendi now after watching him at Arsenal

TBR Football can exclusively reveal the feeling inside Liverpool about Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi after they missed out on his signature.

The Reds surprised everyone by winning the Premier League last season despite signing just one player following the appointment of Arne Slot.

Their plan last year, however, was to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad because they felt their number six position needed strengthening.

Despite their best efforts, Zubimendi rejected Liverpool and then agreed to join Arsenal earlier in this window. He has started very well.

Liverpool have no regrets about missing out on Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi

TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, understands that Liverpool have no regrets about missing out on Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal.

The Spain international was wanted by many of Europe’s biggest clubs when he was at Real Sociedad, but the Reds came the closest to landing him last summer.

Liverpool were prepared to trigger Zubimendi’s release clause, and at one point, it seemed like he would be on the move to Anfield.

However, just when it looked like it would be done, Zubimendi rejected Slot’s side and chose to stay at La Real for another season.

Arsenal wrapped up a deal to sign the midfielder in this window, and his performances from the start of pre-season to now have been very impressive.

Slot even claimed on Friday that Zubimendi would have been a great fit in his system, so are Liverpool regretting missing out on him?

The answer is no because of the brilliance of Ryan Gravenberch.

Bailey told TBR: “No, Liverpool have no regrets because they’ve uncovered Ryan Gravenberch.

“What an unsung hero he was! Absolutely outstanding! There’s no regret there. And if they had brought in Zubimendi as a playmaker – like a quarterback in that number six role – would there have been room to maybe use Gravenberch in that number 10 role? I don’t think so.

“So, I think they’re very happy. No, there are no regrets at Liverpool. They’ve planned this window with precision.”

READ MORE: Martin Zubimendi finally reveals why he rejected Liverpool and then joined Arsenal 12 months later

Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Jamie Carragher has a theory on why Martin Zubimendi rejected Liverpool

It was surprising to see Zubimendi reject a move to Liverpool when it looked like everything was done.

Many felt it was because of his loyalty to Real Sociedad, and that may well have been one of the factors. But Jamie Carragher thinks something else happened.

Speaking on Stick to Football earlier in August this year, the Liverpool legend said: “I’m convinced now that Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool.

“He had agreed to come to Liverpool. He said he was coming, and at the last minute, he said: ‘I don’t want to come. I want to have another year [at Sociedad]’.

“Mikel Arteta is from the Basque area. There’s no doubt he’s been into him and said: ‘We’re signing [Mikel] Merino this season, we’ll come for you next season’.

“The deal was done about halfway through the season. He definitely stopped the deal. That’s why Zubimendi didn’t go to Liverpool.”

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