Liverpool manager Arne Slot has insisted the summer attempt to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad does not mean he didn’t have a plan in place for Ryan Gravenberch also.
The Reds boss has been speaking to Viaplay in the Netherlands about the summer and the conversion of Gravenberch into his new defensive midfielder.
Liverpool spent the summer looking for a player in that position, with the area having been a problem one for Jurgen Klopp last season following Fabinho’s move to Saudi Arabia.
They eventually settled on Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi and pushed hard to sign him but were ultimately disappointed as the Spanish midfielder rejected a move to Anfield and decided to stay where he was.
Liverpool didn’t sign an alternative and instead looked to what they already had, converting Gravenberch, who had arrived the previous summer and had a mixed first year on Merseyside under Klopp, into their new number six.
That’s proven to be an inspired decision as Gravenberch has shone in the role so far, establishing himself as a key player as Liverpool sit top of the table after seven games.
Slot is certainly pleased but insists that just because they wanted Zubimendi it does not mean Gravenberch would not have played this season.
“Well, it doesn’t mean that if you had wanted to attract a player, that it would have meant that another, or a Ryan or whoever it was, had no longer played,” he said.
“I think you need more good players at a top club with this scheme. But when did that first occur in my head? (to play Gravenberch) Well, with the lack of a player in that position who has his qualities, we tried him out in that position.
“And what are his qualities in my experience? Very comfortable with the ball. When he’s in the cover, he can turn away. Loses very few balls in general. Is very good at moving the game from back to front. Moves very easily. So, he can also create an advantage by turning away.
“The only thing I had some doubts about was how he would defend himself. But I also saw that if you have his strengths and you make sure you can walk well, and the team is very well structured, then the individual often looks better.”
