In a period that has seen fans and pundits alike become obsessed with ‘winning the transfer window’, Liverpool – intentionally or not – have bucked the trend, having proven that getting the best out of what you already have at your disposal can be just as fruitful.
Indeed, the Premier League champions have made just one senior signing since snapping up Ryan Gravenberch back in the summer of 2023, albeit with that man Federico Chiesa merely something of an afterthought under Arne Slot, having made just five top-flight outings this season – none of which have come from the start.
While the impending exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold – alongside the need for a new striker and centre-back – will likely see the Reds dip into the transfer market this time around, there should be a sense of caution this summer, amid the need to avoid upsetting the applecart.
The pursuit of a certain Martin Zubimendi last summer should be an example to follow, with the Anfield side deciding not to pursue an alternative to the Spaniard, after the Real Sociedad man turned down the chance to move to England.
The aforementioned Gravenberch – who has since started 35 league games in 2024/25 – has proven to be a more than worthy in-house solution for Slot, with Zubimendi’s rejection perhaps a sliding doors moment for the season.
By all accounts, the Euro 2024 winner will belatedly move to the Premier League this summer, but not to Anfield.
The latest on Martin Zubimendi's future
Jurgen Klopp’s final summer had seen a real overhaul in the midfield department, with four new faces brought into the fold in 2023, amid the departures of the likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho.
That quartet were seemingly not deemed to be enough as far as Slot was concerned a year later, with the Merseysiders looking hellbent on bringing Zubimendi to the club, in order to replace Wataru Endo as the starting option in the number six role.
Despite having appeared convinced that the Sociedad star would be keen to leave his boyhood club, the midfield maestro ultimately opted against joining Slot’s ranks, having seemingly “changed his mind”, according to Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan.
Fast forward less than 12 months, however, and it would seem that the 25-year-old has again had a change of heart, with the Independent’s Miguel Delaney revealing last week that a deal to take the £51m man to Arsenal has already been “wrapped up”.
That has since been followed by a report from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, with the Italian journalist outlining that Zubimendi has “verbally agreed to sign a long-term deal” with the Gunners, following in the footsteps of compatriot and former club colleague, Mikel Merino.
Liverpool have missed out, although it should well be Zubimendi left with the tinge of regret. While Slot’s men have claimed title glory, the Basque ace, meanwhile, has been part of a side that are currently 12th in LaLiga, amid a deeply disappointing campaign for La Real.
It would appear that things have worked out for the best as far as those at Anfield are concerned, not least with the club boasting a midfield superstar of their own.
The Liverpool star who's worth far more than Zubimendi
The revelation of the campaign, from a Liverpool perspective at least, has been Gravenberch, with club legend Jamie Carragher hailing the Dutchman as “the biggest surprise” of the season, due to his standout form.
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That said, the man who takes the acclaim as arguably the Premier League’s “outstanding midfielder”, as per Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, is his World Cup-winning teammate, Alexis Mac Allister, with the Argentine having again been simply masterful in 2024/25.
Signed for a minimal fee of just £35m from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2023, the playmaker has proven to be something of a bargain over the last two years, having played a central role in the club’s title success.
Indeed, this season has seen Mac Allister rack up five goals and five assists in the top-flight, with his thumping effort against Tottenham Hotspur sparking jubilant celebrations that even measured at 1.7 on the Richter scale, as Liverpool closed in on the title.
Not only the man who can provide that cutting edge in the final third, the midfield metronome has also averaged 1.3 key passes per game, while averaging 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game. In all, the 26-year-old ranks sixth in the division for tackles made this term, with 95.
Games
35
33
Goals
5
2
Assists
5
1
Big chances created
6
1
Key passes*
1.3
0.5
Pass accuracy*
87%
84%
Tackles*
2.7
2.2
Interceptions*
0.6
1.2
Total duels won*
48%
58%
That ability to thrive both in and out of possession is also showcased by how he stacks up against his peers across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref. For example, the former Seagulls star ranks in the top 7% for non-penalty goals and the top 6% for shot-creating actions, albeit while also ranking in the top 1% for blocks and the top 8% for tackles made per 90.
Unsurprisingly, such form has seen his valuation soar following that £35m move, with Transfermarkt deeming him to now be worth in the region of €90m (£76m). To put that into perspective, the aforementioned Zubimendi is valued at €60m (£51m) – thus matching his reported release clause.
Zubimendi may be a talent and could certainly thrive under Mikel Arteta’s watch next season. That said, even if he does make a smooth transition to life in the Premier League, Liverpool can rest easy knowing that they already have a far more valuable talent of their own.
He may not yet be of the status of an Alisson, a Virgil van Dijk or a Mo Salah, although on the evidence of 2024/25, in particular, Mac Allister is just as important as any of them.
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