At a point last week, it seemed the Spain Euro 2024 winner was in contention to make the Reds' matchday squad for their Premier League opener against Ipswich Town amid a growing confidence that he would become the first signing of the Arne Slot era.
However, the midfielder opted against a move to Anfield and decided to stay with his boyhood club - much to the delight of La Real manager Imanol Alguacil.
Due to his exploits over the summer with the Spain national team, Zubimendi has been eased back into the fold at Sociedad. So much so that he was named among the substitutes in their La Liga opener at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday evening.
Zubimendi's bittersweet appearance
The 25-year-old was introduced to proceedings at half-time and did find the back of the net in second half injury-time. Unfortunately for him though, the strike proved to be a mere consolation as the visitors ran out 2-1 victors at the Reale Arena.
Having seen their club rejected by Zubimendi this summer, a number of Liverpool fans tuned into see how the Spaniard fared on his first appearance since making a huge transfer decision.
Judging by some of the responses on X (formerly Twitter) the fact that Sociedad conceded twice with him on the pitch did not go unnoticed.
For example, @DavidCA_lfc said: "Sociedad bring on Zubimendi and concede 2 goals and @LFCTrey0 wrote:"Zubimendi comes on and Sociedad concede." In truth, Zubimendi wasn't at fault for either goal, so it's just a bit of fun on social media.
Despite Alguacil's expressing his fear that the midfielder could yet have his head turned before the summer transfer window closes next week, the expectation is that Zubimendi commits his future to Real Sociedad by signing a new contract.
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