'Tried everything' - Liverpool boss Arne Slot addresses failed Martin Zubimendi transfer pursuit after midfielder rejects Anfield move

Liverpool have been looking to sign a pivot this summer as they look to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title after falling just short last season. Their major target for the summer had been Real Sociedad's Zubimendi as the Spain international impressed the Reds' top brass after his performances in the Euro 2024 final against England.

Earlier this week, Zubimendi announced his decision to stay at Real Sociedad which came as a major blow to Liverpool's hopes of adding the 25-year-old to their midfield this summer, as they remain the only Premier League team to have not made a transfer this summer so far. Slot has now addressed the failed transfer move and also talked about the lack of new signings this summer.

Speaking to the media ahead of their Premier League opener, Slot said: "I said many times already our squad is really strong so it is not easy to find players to strengthen. Zubimendi was one but he chose not to come here so we go forward with the ones we have. We're in a good place and Richard is trying to improve the squad in the background. Zubimendi didn't want to come and Richard tried everything. We kept the same team but lost Thiago, Joel and Adrian and you always talk about transfers but we have a positive team already."

The Liverpool boss also talked about the lack of transfers this summer, he said: "That argument I don't understand. If you don't strengthen you become weaker? We stay the same. I truly believe you can help on the training ground and improve. It has helped players to improve here. If other clubs strengthen they become better but it's not always true that new players make you stronger. Every player in the team needs perspective on playing time. If you keep bringing in players the energy goes down. Me and Richard are trying to strengthen, if we think we have found someone, we try to bring him. Unfortunately, the one we found (Zubimendi) said no."

The Reds will begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to Portman Road Stadium to take on Ipswich Town on August 17. Liverpool now have just over two weeks to make their first signing of the summer with the transfer window set to close at 11 pm BST on August 30.