Liverpool's remarkable journey to their 20th Premier League title can be traced back to an unexpected source: Martin Zubimendi's decision to remain at Real Sociedad rather than move to Anfield in 2024.
The Spanish midfielder's U-turn, which initially disappointed Liverpool supporters, proved to be a blessing in disguise as it forced manager Arne Slot to reimagine Ryan Gravenberch's role within the team.
Slot had already been considering repositioning Gravenberch as a defensive midfielder, asking him to return early from pre-season to trial the deeper role during their United States tour.
However, when Zubimendi opted to stay in Spain for another year, Liverpool chose not to pursue alternative signings, instead fully committing to Gravenberch's transformation.
The Dutch midfielder's remarkable evolution from a fringe figure to a talisman represents one of the most successful positional changes in recent Premier League history, with Gravenberch earning inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year.
Slot has identified distinct similarities between Gravenberch and Zubimendi, particularly praising the Dutchman's ball-playing ability and game intelligence - qualities that make him perfectly suited to Liverpool's possession-heavy style.
The manager's faith in Gravenberch has been vindicated as Liverpool dominated the league while other title contenders struggled with consistency.
Now, as Liverpool prepare to face Arsenal, the irony is palpable - Zubimendi will feature for the Gunners while his rejection of Liverpool contributed to their championship success.
This fascinating subplot adds another layer to what promises to be a crucial encounter between two title rivals, with the defensive midfield battle potentially decisive in determining the outcome.
The Spanish midfielder's U-turn, which initially disappointed Liverpool supporters, proved to be a blessing in disguise as it forced manager Arne Slot to reimagine Ryan Gravenberch's role within the team.
Slot had already been considering repositioning Gravenberch as a defensive midfielder, asking him to return early from pre-season to trial the deeper role during their United States tour.
However, when Zubimendi opted to stay in Spain for another year, Liverpool chose not to pursue alternative signings, instead fully committing to Gravenberch's transformation.
The Dutch midfielder's remarkable evolution from a fringe figure to a talisman represents one of the most successful positional changes in recent Premier League history, with Gravenberch earning inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year.
Slot has identified distinct similarities between Gravenberch and Zubimendi, particularly praising the Dutchman's ball-playing ability and game intelligence - qualities that make him perfectly suited to Liverpool's possession-heavy style.
The manager's faith in Gravenberch has been vindicated as Liverpool dominated the league while other title contenders struggled with consistency.
Now, as Liverpool prepare to face Arsenal, the irony is palpable - Zubimendi will feature for the Gunners while his rejection of Liverpool contributed to their championship success.
This fascinating subplot adds another layer to what promises to be a crucial encounter between two title rivals, with the defensive midfield battle potentially decisive in determining the outcome.
