Arne Slot has spoken honestly about Liverpool missing out on signing Martin Zubimendi, but says Ryan Gravenberch has been the ideal solution.Zubimendi was a £51 million transfer target for Slot when he arrived as the Reds’ new head coach in 2024, but the move fell through.The Spaniard decided to stay put at Real Sociedad instead, citing homesickness as one reason, before joining Arsenal for £60 million this summer.Zubimendi will come up against Liverpool on Sunday, and Slot has admitted that there was plenty to admire about him, adding that Gravenberch has filled the void.“What we liked about him was how good he is on the ball, and how much game insight he has,” Slot said.“We thought, and it was true, that we would have the ball a lot in every single game, and then to have someone in front of your defence that is very comfortable on the ball would have been a good fit for us.“Especially if he’s also defensively strong enough for the league, which he’s showing now and which we also expected.“But we found all of these things definitely also in Ryan.” Slot always speaks with such honesty, and while others may play down their admiration for a player they failed to sign, he has made it clear that he rates Zubimendi highly.Had the Spaniard joined Liverpool, however, there is every chance that Gravenberch would not have blossomed into the elite No. 6 that he now is.The 23-year-old has become one of the Reds’ most important players, starting 37 out of 38 league games en route to the Premier League title in 2024/25.After an up-and-down first season, Gravenberch has flourished in a more disciplined position, with Slot lauding his No. 6 abilities earlier this year.“This is a special quality Ryan has, that he can turn away from his man,” Slot said.“He is one of the few holding midfielders, pivots, the way you want to call it in this country, that can create an overload by a dribble. Mostly these players pass a lot.“Ryan is good in passing as well but to create an overload by a dribble, you don’t see this many times as a No. 6.”Gravenberch’s midfield battle with Zubimendi will be key on Sunday, as the pair provide cover for their respective defences, as well as looking to dictate play from deep.Whoever comes out on top could ultimately prove vital, as Liverpool look to head into the international break top of the table.