WATCH : Arne Slot has already hinted Martin Zubimendi isn’t needed in Liverpool’s midfield

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been rocked by Martin Zubimendi rejecting a move to Liverpool, but the Dutchman is likely to remain calm in the wake of missing out on his top transfer target

Arne Slot has almost a full clean bill of health ahead of Liverpool’s new season

Arne Slot has previously insisted Liverpool did not need to recruit Martin Zubimendi

Arne Slot may be disappointed that Martin Zubimendi has rejected a move to Liverpool, but the Reds boss has already hinted he does not need him in his squad.

Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager at the start of the summer but is still yet to make a signing. Zubimendi looked set to become the Dutchman’s first new recruit after emerging as the Reds’ top target.

But on Monday night, the midfielder informed Liverpool that he would be remaining at Real Sociedad. The 25-year-old had been identified as the perfect man to play the No.6 role for Slot’s side.

Now, the Dutchman will have to go back to the drawing board with his plans for that crucial position. While some may be concerned with who will now take on the No.6 role, Slot has already made it clear he has a plan for the position, using his existing players.

Liverpool fans fume as Martin Zubimendi rejects Reds transfer – “This isn’t Bournemouth!”

“Sometimes that also had to do with the players we had available, the ones I’ve tried there. I think we’ve seen mostly Wata Endo there or Ryan [Gravenberch]. And in a previous game even Dominik [Szoboszlai] was a bit lower,” Slot said after Sunday’s win over Sevilla.

“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 line-up. And today you saw this but it’s not to say that it’s the same next week.”

Zubimendi decided to reject a move to Liverpool on Monday night

The Reds are not expected to search for a replacement for Zubimendi, with Slot remaining calm about their transfer prospects. Instead, he is fully focused on the new Premier League season, which started on Saturday with a clash against newly-promoted Ipswich Town.

“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,” he added.

“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. [It’s] not only an important week, an important year to come. We have to improve day by day.