The Reds were in the market for a new No.6 and it had seemed as though a deal for Zubimendi, 25, was in place. But the Spain international had a late change of heart and stayed in Spain.
Liverpool didn't return to the market for a defensive midfielder and have instead deployed Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper role, with the Dutchman impressing during the early weeks of the 2024/25 campaign.
And while Slot feels Gravenberch wouldn't have been negatively affected by the arrival of Zubimendi, he noted that the Reds have moved on in the wake of their strong start to the season.
The Dutchman explained: “If you’ve noticed it is not that much of one holding midfielder, it is a bit more two. And one of those two can be a bit more attacking and I think the player you mentioned [Zubimendi] could have fitted in one of those two roles and Ryan can fit in both roles like Curtis [Jones] can, [Alexis] Mac Allister can and Wataru [Endo] can.
“There is no point talking about Zubimendi anymore because he stayed with Real Sociedad and we’ve moved on and we are really happy with Ryan.
“You see a Ryan who is full of confidence and that comes normally with good performances and trusting your team-mates and knowing that you can do what you have to at that level.”
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Ryan Gravenberch has impressed in a deeper role for Liverpool this season
Gravenberch was signed by Jurgen Klopp last summer as part of a midfield overhaul. The 24-year-old Netherlands international was snapped up by Bayern Munich after impressing at Ajax before signing up for a stint in the Premier League.
When he was asked whether or not he was surprised at the impact Gravenberch has made this season, Slot replied: “I wouldn’t say I am surprised because he’s Dutch, I’m Dutch, so I saw him playing at Ajax when he came up into the first team.
“Everybody saw back then what a special talent he was and probably for that reason he went to two amazing clubs, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
“You can only go to these clubs if they see you have a lot of quality. Then it is up to us to make sure we get the best out of him and that is not only down to what we, as a training staff, do but also he is the most important for that.”
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