Liverpool boss Arne Slot gets Martin Zubimendi message that says it all

Liverpool transportation people Martin Zubimendi's last-gasp alteration of bosom looks to person turned retired to beryllium a blessing for Arne Slot and Ryan Gravenberch

Martin Zubimendi’s Liverpool transportation snub has proved to beryllium a blessing successful disguise, according to Ian Wright.

The Euro 2024 victor was connected the verge of joining the Reds successful August earlier a late U-turn saw him enactment with Real Sociedad. At the time, it was regarded arsenic a large blow, with caller brag Arne Slot seemingly near with a gaping spread successful his midfield.

Three months on, Liverpool are flying precocious astatine the apical of the Premier League, with Ryan Gravenberch excelling successful the midfield anchor role. The 22-year-old had a mixed archetypal play astatine Anfield nether Jurgen Klopp pursuing his determination from Bayern Munich.

However, helium has emerged arsenic 1 of the Premier League's standout midfielders of the play truthful far. The Dutchman’s interaction was discussed connected The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by SkyBet, with the sheet picking him arsenic 1 of the astonishment players of the season.

Wright said Gravenberch’s signifier has been similar having a caller signing. The Arsenal fable said: “They were getting acceptable to bargain Zubimendi, but Gravenberch has travel successful and locked it [that position] off. How overmuch has helium saved Liverpool?”

Gary Neville agreed, adding: “He’s been unbelievable. They whitethorn inactive spell for different holding midfield subordinate [in the transportation window]. But going for Zubimendi and past him [Gravenberch] going successful determination and playing similar helium has, he’s been incredible.”

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But Gravenberch’s signifier is nary astonishment to nine and state team-mate Cody Gakpo, who told Men successful Blazers helium had nary doubts astir the erstwhile Ajax man. Gakpo said: “We [Liverpool’s Dutch players] knew Ryan already from the Eredivisie erstwhile helium played astatine Ajax, and I deliberation everybody knew already that helium is this good.

“He made a determination to Bayern Munich and possibly helium didn't play that overmuch implicit there, but inactive everybody successful Holland knew however bully helium could beryllium erstwhile helium was playing.

"And I deliberation possibly the manager besides knew this. At the opening of the play helium enactment him successful a somewhat antithetic presumption but helium gave him the assurance to play there."

Anfield fable Steve Nicol believes the Reds adjacent beryllium their presumption astatine the apical of the array to Gravenberch’s form. The pundit said connected ESPN: “We’re fundamentally looking astatine a squad who looked arsenic though they had a large spread successful the mediate of the parkland that had to beryllium filled.

"Absolutely I would reason that, without Gravenberch, Liverpool mightiness not beryllium apical of the league.”

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