'We expected': Arne Slot opens up on what he really thinks of Martin Zubimendi ahead of Arsenal meeting
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Liverpool have the chance to send out a strong title statement when they take on Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds have failed to beat Mikel Arteta’s team in each of the past three Premier League seasons, and would love to put an end to that run this weekend.
In doing so, Liverpool would head into the international break with three wins from three having delivered an early blow to their title rivals.
Lose, however, and it will be a very long two weeks on Merseyside as the Reds deal with a setback in defence of their Premier League crown.
Key to deciding the result of Sunday’s game is likely to be the midfield battle at Anfield.
Instead, Zubimendi will line up against Liverpool as an Arsenal player.
And as he prepares to face the Spaniard, Arne Slot has looked back on the Reds’ pursuit of him last summer.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
The disappointment of Liverpool not signing Zubimendi in 2024 was made easier to swallow after Gravenberch blossomed into one of the best midfielders in the country.
The Dutchman has given Liverpool everything they were looking for in the market 12 months ago.
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“What we liked about (Zubimendi) was how good he is on the ball and how much game insight he has,” Slot told The Daily Mail.
“We thought, and it was true, that we would have the ball a lot in every single game, and then to have someone in front of your defence that is very comfortable on the ball would have been a good fit for us.”
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“Especially if he’s also defensively strong enough for the league, which he’s showing now and which we also expected.
“He’s very comfortable on the ball and defensively strong enough to play in the position.”
One of the key things to keep an eye on ahead of Sunday’s match is whether Mac Allister will be fit enough to start.
With Arsenal so strong in midfield, the Argentine being ready may be the difference between a positive and a negative result.
Without their No.
10, Liverpool will be more susceptible to losing the midfield battle Zubimendi, Declan Rice and a seemingly fit-again Martin Odegaard will pose.
Despite that, Gravenberch is a key figure and the 23-year-old should be extra motivated to impress against the player who almost replaced him at Anfield.
Liverpool fans hold some lingering animosity towards Zubimendi following his decision to turn them down last summer, and that could make for a difficult afternoon for the Spain international from the stands.