Report: After watching Liverpool vs Real Betis, Slot is clearly waiting for the £51m man’s signing…

Liverpool’s £51 million signing is the player that Slot has been eagerly anticipating after observing the match between Liverpool and Real Betis – in my opinion.

The signing Slot is waiting for is the £51m man, as evidenced by the Liverpool vs Real Betis match.

Liverpool is making progress in the 2024/25 season following their victory in the first pre-season friendly match of the summer.

The Reds had a significant day as Arne Slot, the new head coach, led the team for the first time in front of supporters. Real Betis was the opposing team at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

The game during pre-season was somewhat subdued and lacked excitement, but it still provided insight into Slot’s vision for Liverpool’s lineup.

The 1-0 win made it clear that Slot intends to utilize the midfield in a different manner compared to Jurgen Klopp.

With two players sitting deep in a double pivot instead of one out-and-out holder, it’s evident that Saturday’s game highlighted the adjustments Slot needs to make in the transfer market.

Liverpool needs to consider signing Martin Zubimendi to strengthen their midfield. The team has made significant changes to their midfield, bringing in four new players last summer.

Despite having a variety of options and promising young talents like Trey Nyoni, there is still a noticeable gap in the defensive midfield position.

While Wataru Endo has performed well since joining the team, his recent performance against Betis raised concerns about his future at Anfield.

It was evident that he struggled to keep up with the pace of the game and had difficulty making quick and accurate passes.

Endo has excelled for Liverpool as the midfield anchor, showcasing his tenacity in winning tackles and distributing the ball to more technically skilled teammates.

When operating in a three-man midfield, this works well. However, with fewer players in the middle, passing responsibilities increase for each player. It became evident that this is not Endo’s strong suit.

In our view, this is the most glaring area that Slot will aim to bolster in the remaining market window.

From our perspective, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi would be the ideal candidate.

Although primarily a defensive midfielder, Zubimendi possesses exceptional passing skills and ball control.

Drawing comparisons to Xabi Alonso, the Spanish player could seamlessly integrate into Slot’s tactical system.

How probable is Martin Zubimendi’s transfer? In addition to being a good fit for Slot’s strategy, Zubimendi is available at a reasonable price this summer.

Following his triumph in Euro 2024 with Spain, the 25-year-old’s market value has significantly increased, yet he has a release clause of approximately £51m. This could be considered a worthwhile investment for Liverpool.

Liverpool has a history of pursuing players with release clauses, as it streamlines the negotiation process by providing clarity on the transfer fee.

Zubimendi’s strong attachment to Real Sociedad could potentially pose a challenge in his case. Being a native of San Sebastian, the team holds a special place in his heart as he has progressed through their ranks.

“Zubimendi has always found joy at Real Sociedad. It’s his hometown, his country, which is why securing his transfer may not be straightforward,” journalist Fabrizio Romano explained to Give Me Sport recently.

While it may not be a simple task, it is not entirely out of reach. If Liverpool can entice him with their vision, Zubimendi could very well be the missing piece in Klopp’s midfield puzzle.