'I've been called the second-best player in the world - this is why I rejected Liverpool'

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has dubbed former target Martin Zubimendi 'the second best holding player in the - rubbing salt into Reds wounds.

Zubimendi looked set to become in August, with his and his current club, Real Sociedad, powerless.

But, in a ruthless snub, instead choosing to remain at the club he's been associated with since the age of 12. who arrived for a cut-price £12.5m, and potential Alisson replacement Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Speaking ahead of Spain's clash with Serbia earlier in the week, just days after Zubimendi's late strike helped his nation past Denmark, De la Fuente praised his star enforcer.

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"I've publicly stated that, for me, Martin is the second-best player in the [behind Rodri]," he said. "We are incredibly lucky to have these two - who I consider the best players in the world. But we also have other fantastic players who've been here and are with us now - another fantastic player."

When asked why he snubbed the Reds, Zubimendi credited his affection for his homeland for staying put, further admitting he doesn't regret turning down the move.

"It is true that there was a lot of noise," Zubimendi stated last month. "I went through uncomfortable moments. The best thing for me was to stay here, and I was happy and at peace.

"Of course, I don't regret it. I can't think that after four or five games at the start of the season. I made my decision from within. I thought it was the best thing to do."

England may yet be on Zubimendi's horizon, however, as the player named ahead of him by De la Fuente, Rodri, is out for the remainder of the season, having suffered an ACL tear – and some reports suggest that Zubimendi' could be snapped up as a January replacement.

Missing out on a world-class holding player hasn't hindered - who look unlikely to return for the 25-year-old - as Slot's choice of Ryan Gravenberch to anchor his midfield has paid dividends. The Dutchman has played 90 minutes in every one of the Reds' first seven league games - of which they've won six.

"There is no point talking about Zubimendi anymore because he stayed with Real Sociedad and we've moved on and we are really happy with Ryan," Slot stated earlier this summer. "You see a Ryan who is full of confidence and that comes normally with good performances and trusting your team-mates and knowing that you can do what you have to at that level."

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