Arne Slot has opened up on Liverpool’s failed move for Martin Zubimendi and the club’s quiet transfer window.
Slot will take charge of Liverpool for the first time when the Reds take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town in their first fixture of the Premier League campaign on Saturday lunchtime.
Liverpool will line up without any new additions in the side with the Merseysiders the only Premier League club to have failed to make a first-team signing in the summer window.
The Reds had informed Real Sociedad of their intention to activate Martin Zubimendi’s release clause with the Spanish side, though the 25-year-old has turned down the chance to leave in favour of signing a new contract in San Sebastien.
Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp during the summer, discussed the Spaniard’s decision to turn down the transfer and said it is ‘not easy’ to find players good enough to strengthen a ‘strong’ Liverpool squad.
“I’ve said many times already that our squad is really strong and it’s not so easy to find players who can help us or improve the squad,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference.
“Zubimendi was one of them to be fair, but he decided not to come. We go forward with the ones we have. Endo did well in pre-season. We’re in a good place. Richard is trying to strengthen the squad. Zubimendi decided not to come, we did every effort. If a player decides not to come then it’s obvious he’s not coming.”
