While 2024 proved to be a year of many new adjustments for Liverpool fans to get their head around, with long-serving manager Jurgen Klopp out of the job, 2025 now looks like a stable and highly successful time to support the Anfield giants.
After all, Arne Slott he took over from the favorite German in flawless fashion, with just one Premier League defeat in 18 Premier League games, meaning Liverpool are pretty much at the top of the division.
But the former Feyenoord boss will not want to rest on his laurels knowing full well how much football can throw at you, with many arrivals targeted this January to help his side to the title.
Liverpool is starting a fight for an “elite” star
The report of the Spanish house AS shows that the top-flight Reds will battle for the services of Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi this month, with many interested suitors reportedly eyeing the coveted Spaniard.
Indeed, other named sides looking at the 25-year-old include Manchester City and Real Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men possibly having an advantage in the race for Zubimendi as he would not have to go to England.
However, the report states that Zubimendi did ‘misled’ over the possibility of a move to Anfield, with Liverpool known to be long-term admirers of the San Sebastian-born gem, who were previously willing to meet Sociedad star’s £52m release clause only for the move to collapse.
However, the much talked about move could be back on the table very soon if everything finally falls into place, with the “elite” midfielder – as data analyst Ben Mattinson once labeled it – maybe taking Ryan Gravenberchconcrete starting place from it.
What Zubimendi could offer Liverpool
Zubimendi hasn’t just played up all this interest coming his way, with English football fans already familiar with the class the 25-year-old exudes, based on his Euro 2024 finals appearance for Spain.
Of his 45 minutes on the field, the 5-foot-11 midfielder won every duel in which he competed, misplacing just two of his 26 passes as his nation eventually reigned supreme over the Three Lions.
|
Zubimendi’s numbers in La Liga (24/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (* = per match) |
Zubimendi |
|
Games played |
17 |
|
Goals scored |
1 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
touch* |
67.9 |
|
Exact additions* |
45.4 (84%) |
|
Interceptions* |
1.4 |
|
fights* |
2.5 |
|
Ball recovery* |
4.4 |
|
Total duels won* |
5.9 |
|
Statistics according to Sofascore |
|
Having already proved he can hold his own against Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in that one-off affair, Zubimendi will further keep his fingers crossed that he can strut his stuff in the demanding Premier League should a move happen, with his La Liga numbers showing well so far this season a rounded midfielder.
The number of duels he wins on average this season in the Spanish league is better than Gravenberch score that is less than 5.3 in contrast to Zubimendi’s 5.9 – while also showing the composure on the ball typical of the Dutchman’s game with 45.4 accurate passes collected per contest.
It is unlikely that Zubimendi would walk into the building to see Alexis Mac Allister handing him a starting spot after a fantastic performance against West Ham United last time they won seven duels and add three key passes, with Gravenberch then having to make room for the Spaniard to enter the side as the deepest midfielder.
It may not be the most popular move, given that Gravenberch has been as consistent as the Argentine in the middle of the park this season, but Zubimendi would not be bought for a fee of around £52m to warm the substitutes’ bench.
It remains to be seen whether the 25-year-old will want to leave his childhood club to which he is fiercely loyal, but if a deal can be agreed, Slott would have plenty of depth to call on from the central.
