Liverpool transfers: How Zubimendi 'had to teach the English how to play'

Excitement around Martin Zubimendi’s potential move to Liverpool is reaching fever-pitch, with a slew of stories detailing the Reds’ concrete interest in the Real Sociedad man.

Frequently compared to former Anfield star Xabi Alonso, who previously coached Zubimendi and saw something of himself in the 25 year-old, there have already been links this summer with Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona. 

Read more: How Zubimendi signing could impact Liverpool

It seems however that Arne Slot and Richard Hughes have perhaps finally tempted Zubimendi to leave the Basque region for pastures new on Merseyside, and it’s not hard to see why they’ve made him their no.1 target. 

Likewise he made a huge impression during his Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign, particularly in the final against England. Those supporting Spain feared the worst when Rodri was withdrawn at half-time, yet Zubimendi stepped in and there was no drop in quality.

How Zubimendi 'gave a show'

Spanish captain Alvaro Morata clearly felt the same way, as during Spain’s celebrations the journeyman striker took the microphone to lavish praise upon him. “He had to go out and teach the English how to play,” Morata said. “It wasn’t easy, and you gave a show, when we needed you the most.”

Alonso has been similarly generous with his praise, stating: “Martin’s a player all coaches would want,” Alonso says. “He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself.

"He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move. He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organise, the axis. I loved working with him.”

Zubimendi himself sees the similarities with Alonso, his “idol, a role model”, but is also a fan of Barcelona and Spain legend Sergio Busquets: “He’s set the bar so high that [we] are asked to do things we weren’t before, but that’s nice, you have to aspire to that.”

Indeed, his passing style is perhaps more similar to Busquets than Alonso’s, and his goalscoring tactic of waiting on the edge of the box is very typical of both those legendary midfielders.