Ian Wright has urged Liverpool to sign Martin Zubimendi despite the midfielder rejecting the chance to join the Reds in the summer transfer market.
The Real Sociedad midfielder had the chance to move to Anfield when Liverpool triggered his £51 million release clause only for the player to turn them down.
His manager, Imanol Alguacil, spoke about the matter shortly thereafter and explained how happy he was to be able to retain Zubimendi ahead of the start of the new La Liga campaign.
Now, Ian Wright has urged Liverpool to return for him as he the former Arsenal striker believes he’s the missing piece of the puzzle in Arne Slot’s midfield.
Ian Wright makes his case for Liverpool signing Zubimendi
Martin Zubimendi. Credit: Imago Images
Speaking on The Kelly and Wrighty Show, Kelly Cates posed a question to Wright and Owen Hargreaves – one that is no doubt being asked by many a Liverpool fan.
“Do you think they need a number six?” Cates asked.
“To win the Champions League, they need a Rodri, well not a Rodri because he will probably win the Ballon d’Or.
“But they need somebody top level, and if they get that I think they could win everything,” Hargreaves said.
“If they could get Zubimendi, he’s the one you think could be that guy, I think he could be that guy,” Wright said.
Is Ryan Gravenberch not good enough?
I think he is but it may be more a case of whether or not he has sufficient experience in the no.6 role.
Ryan Gravenberch. Credit: Imago Images
The reason he left Bayern Munich was because, at the time, they weren’t using him in his preferred no.8 role.
Jamie Carragher said at the time: “I think he is more a no. 8, box to box, gets forward and I think that is why Bayern got rid of him. Thomas Tuchel doesn’t play that way, he plays slightly differently, that’s why he’s moved on.”
The 22-year-old is pretty inexperienced in the role but that was not the verdict drawn from his stellar performance against Manchester United.
However, United are not a top team at this moment in time and the soonest test of his credentials will come in late October when Liverpool face Arsenal.
They will also face AC Milan and Chelsea before then but the Gunners will provide the sternest test of his ability to protect the back four while triggering attacks from deep.
