Liverpool have new priorities in the transfer window this summer after two years of attempting to revamp their midfield.

The Reds signed four players in 2023, all of them midfielders, before Arne Slot tried to add the finishing touches last year.

The player Slot wanted to complete the Liverpool squad was Martin Zubimendi.

Zubimendi agreed to join Liverpool last August, but backed out at the last minute following pressure from Real Sociedad to stay.

'Not pleasant for him': Gary Neville in shock after hearing what Liverpool fans sang at Alexander-Arnold today	Martin Zubimendi ‘agrees’ transfer – and Liverpool fans all say the same thing	Martin Zubimendi 'agrees deal' as Arsenal strikes first transfer blow after Liverpool snub

Fast forward to May 2025 and journalist Fabrizio Romano announced on Saturday that Zubimendi is set to join Arsenal this summer.

Having heard the news that a former top target is ditching them to join a Premier League title rival, Liverpool fans have been offering their reaction.

Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Having delivered a magnificent season and having won the Premier League title, it’s clear that Liverpool ultimately did not need Zubimendi.

And according to fans on social media site X, the Spaniard’s decision to turn them down last year was something of a blessing in disguise.

As a result, most are unbothered by his decision to join Arsenal instead.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

“Looking back, Zubimendi turning us down actually paved the way for Gravenberch to thrive in his new position, which has been fantastic to watch week after week,” one said.

“We already have better midfielders than Zubimendi,” another agreed with someone else claiming “Zubimendi rejecting us was a blessing in disguise because we wouldn’t have seen Gravenberch be so good in his new role on a weekly basis.”

Others were keen to point out that had Liverpool really wanted Zubimendi again this summer, they surely would have been in pole position.

“Here come the Zubimendi picked Arsenal over Liverpool posts, when he actually chose staying at Real Sociedad over moving last summer,” said one supporter.

READ MORE: Liverpool’s Martin Zubimendi alternative finally revealed as Reds weigh up ‘incredible’ midfielder

“A year later, no European football and he’s desperate to move, we’ve moved on, Madrid weren’t seriously interested, so he’s had to accept a move to Arsenal.”

“Zubimendi turned down the chance to join the PL champions and now he’s joining Arsenal to win nothing,” laughed another.

“Martin Zubimendi.

Then 12 months later agrees to join perennial losers Arsenal, giving up the mountains, food and scenery of San Sebastian.”

Others were less philosophical, vowing to boo Zubimendi when he steps out against them next season.

“I can’t wait for Liverpool Arsenal at Anfield next season I will personally boo him there,” said one supporter, while another was keen to focus on Liverpool’s transfer window.

“Zubimendi to Arsenal: I couldn’t care less.

We have bigger fish to fry this summer, and they need a striker, not a midfielder.”

Zubimendi’s decision to turn Liverpool down looked a bad one at the time, but it has only become worse in the months since.

There is no guarantee the Reds would have won the Premier League with the 26-year-old onboard, of course, but the facts are that he picked a mid-table La Liga finish with Real Sociedad over a winner’s medal with Liverpool.

As supporters noted, surely if Liverpool had been in for him they would have been leading the way.

But all the noise since August has been that Liverpool would not be back for Zubimendi.
For more news relating to Arsenal, visit our sister site AFC Latest Live.