Arne Slot drops hint over midfield plans amid Martin Zubimendi talks
- Liverpool hoping to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad
- Reds yet to add to squad this summer
- Arne Slot claims he is still evaluating his midfield options
By Sean Walsh
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has admitted he is still 'constantly evaluating' his midfielders amid the club's interest in Martin Zubimendi.
The Reds are yet to make a signing since Slot was appointed as Jurgen Klopp's successor, though they are looking into a deal to sign Euro 2024 winner Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
During pre-season, Slot has tasked Liverpool with playing at a slower tempo than Klopp's trademark high-intensity game, and has rotated his way through several of their senior midfielders to find a suitable combination.
Following friendlies against La Liga duo Sevilla and Las Palmas on Sunday, Slot was asked whether he has a 'better idea' of who will start as their holding midfielder.
"Sometimes that also had to do with the players we had available, the ones I've tried there," he explained. "I think we've seen mostly Wata Endo there or Ryan [Gravenberch]. And in a previous game even Dominik [Szoboszlai] was a bit lower.
"But I have quite a good idea which player suits there, at this moment in my opinion, best.
"But like I said, we are only one week working together with some players. So, sometimes you feel, 'Oh, this is the best No.6' but then the combination with the other two might maybe not work out that well. It's not to say that the ones who played today will play next week or the weeks after.
"We are still in a situation where we are constantly evaluating which is the best team for us, which is the best lineup. And today you saw this but it’s not to say that it's the same next week."
Slot was also asked for an update on transfers, to which he replied: "I think as a club like we are, we are always looking if we can strengthen the squad.
"But it's not so easy to strengthen the squad if you see both games today. I've said many times before that I've inherited a really strong team and if we can and if we think it's possible, we will strengthen the squad. But only if we think we can and if it's possible."
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