Liverpool are set to take on Ipswich Town in their Premier League 2024/25 season opener on Saturday.
They’ll be doing so without former top target Martin Zubimendi after the La Real holding midfielder opted to stay put in San Sebastian.
Arne Slot gave his thoughts on the matter in his pre-match presser (in comments relayed on X by Fabrizio Romano) and refused to question the strength of his current squad.
🚨🔴 Arne Slot on Zubimendi not joining Liverpool: “I believe our squad is really strong and it’s not easy to find players who can strengthen us”.
“Zubimendi was one, yes… but unfortunately he decided not to come and we move on”. pic.twitter.com/7fdWYok48o
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 16, 2024
That’s not to suggest improvements can’t be made to this Liverpool outfit.
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The Dutch head coach went on to add that new sporting director, Richard Hughes, is still hard at work looking to find suitable options to add to the side.
Slot: "Richard and me are trying to strengthen the squad and if we find somone we try to bring them in."
— David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc) August 16, 2024
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There’s an argument for strengthening
The frustrations of the fanbase are entirely valid as we near the official return of the Premier League.
The need for a top-class No.6 to fill the void left by Fabinho’s departure for Saudi Arabia still remains an issue heading into another season of football.
Meanwhile, our major competitors in Manchester City and Arsenal will head into the campaign with Rodri and Declan Rice respectively.
There’s no justification to spend for spending’s sake – let’s make that absolutely clear. And the desire to only bring in players who can genuinely improve the squad is a more than noble one, not to mention justified by the quality of our roster as it currently stands.
However, perhaps there’s an argument to be made for bringing in a player – if one such option exists – who sits outside the realm of acceptable senior appearances, if it would benefit us in the long run.
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Well Richard – apparently Barca have npt yet sealed the Dani Olmo signing because of money/FFP rules.
Now far be it from me to tell those far more experienced than me – but if I was Hughes – I would be trying to pull the rug out from Barca and snatch Olmo to play as the strong midfielder we need – he can play that position – in fact a little birdie told me that is the position he played at Dinamo Zagreb (if I was offered the choice between Zubimendi or Olm I would choose Olmo always first…I believe he would be a revelation as a hoding/defending/attacking midfielder because…As things stand, this means that Barcelona are currently unable to register Olmo, as they would not be complying with LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations.
Olmo isn’t easily categorized. His playing style is a unique blend of technical brilliance, tactical intelligence, and versatility. Here are some of his key strengths:
He can play as a winger, attacking midfielder, or even as a second striker, offering his manager tactical flexibility. YNWA
I view the current situation as a blessing in disguise. Buying a no6 now would effectively block the path of one of the most talented holding midfielders to emerge from the Academy in a generation. Batejic is more than capable. Together with Endo, I think we’re covered. Remember Endo’s performance against City. Reinforcements need not be rushed. Liverpool have always been metric driven. Allow Edwards and Hughes to do their jobs.