Arne Slot has spoken about Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Martin Zubimendi.
Zubimendi was identified as the preferred target of Slot’s fledgling Anfield reign after impressing during Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 campaign.
The Real Sociedad midfielder had been earmarked to play in the number six with the Reds set to operate a 4-2-3-1 system under their new head coach.
But Zubimendi informed the club’s sporting director Richard Hughes that he would be remaining in Donostia-San Sebastian with his boyhood club.
It leaves Liverpool heading into Saturday’s Premier League opener at newly promoted Ipswich Town without a new summer signing in their ranks.
But Slot believes that the Anfield hierarchy could not have done more in attempting to secure Zubimendi’s signature before the season’s kick-off.
He said: “I said many times already that I think our squad is really strong and it is not so easy to find players that can help us or can even strengthen the squad.
“Zubimendi was one of them, to be fair, but he decided not to come and then we go forward with the ones we have and those ones have done really well in pre-season.
“We’re in a good place and like I said many times before, in the background Richard is trying to strengthen the squad as he can but unfortunately Zubimendi decided not to come
“He (Hughes) tried everything to bring him in, but if a player doesn’t want to come it’s obvious that he is not coming.”
The Dutchman also insists that Luis Diaz’s future remains on Merseyside despite growing speculation linking him with a move away this summer.
“His future is with us because I like a lot what I’ve seen in the last 10 days and I saw the same last season,” added Slot.
“He’s had a big impact on Liverpool seasons and I’m hoping that he has a big impact in the upcoming season as well.”