Martin Zubimendi, who was close to joining Liverpool in the summer transfer window, has broken his silence on the failed move to England. When the Reds thought the deal is almost over and the player is ready to join the team, the Spaniard and Real Sociedad rejected the move due to the loyalty that the player have with the team, playing his whole career for the La Liga side.

Speaking to the press before the second Europa League match against Anderlecht, Martin Zubimendi asked if he regretted his decision to not join Liverpool when he had the chance. The player said that he has no regrets for turning down one of the biggest Premier League clubs as he feels comfortable in Donostia-San Sebastian.

Real Sociedad has started the season poorly, being placed 14th in La Liga after receiving only two wins in the first eight matches. Martin Zubimendi has started in each game and scored only one goal in the first season match against Rayo Vallecano in which Los Txuri-urdin failed to win.

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 28: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Sociedad and Valencia CF at Reale Arena on September 28, 2024, in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo By Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty Images)

For Arne Slot, the arrival of the Spanish midfielder was a major priority after not knowing who the main defensive midfielder would be in the team. After trusting the 22-year-old Ryan Gravenberch since the first Premier League game against Ipswich, the Dutch player has shown amazing performances while being the key player in all the five wins in the league.

Starting in seven out of eight games, Gravenberch has received the ‘Man of the Match’ award twice until now. The first award came in the 3-1 against AC Milan in the Champions League and the second one in the recent 2-1 win against Wolves.

His performances have surprised the board and the players, after a tough first season under Jurgen Klopp when the player didn’t start the majorities of the matches under the legendary German manager.

The next challenge for Real Sociedad is against Anderlecht in the Europa League competition in which they are placed 16th after failing to win against the Ligue 1 side Nice that ended 1-1.

On the other hand, Arne Slot hopes to achieve his first Champions League in Anfield after his team failed to qualify for a spot in the 22/23 season under Jurgen Klopp in which the Reds were placed 5th with only 4 points behind the fourth place. Liverpool’s last appearance in the competition didn’t go well after they lost 6-2 on aggregate against Real Madid.