Steven Gerrard has expressed his disappointment over Liverpool's failure to secure Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi, marking the fourth transfer regret the Anfield legend has publicly acknowledged. The former Reds captain was working as a pundit for TNT Sports during Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
Before the match, Gerrard openly praised Zubimendi, whom Liverpool came close to signing in the summer of 2024. Arne Slot was on the verge of making the Spaniard his first signing as Liverpool manager, but the deal collapsed. Zubimendi eventually joined Arsenal a year later after winning Euro 2024 with Spain.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Gerrard said: "He's been given a really key role. At Liverpool, we were linked with him for a long time, watched a lot of him on the back of that - disappointed that we didn't sign him. Arsenal have got a fantastic player, really intelligent. I think he'll have a big boost being back in Spain tonight. Arsenal need a big performance from him."
Zubimendi is the fourth missed signing Gerrard has lamented. He previously expressed similar feelings about Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, who both joined Manchester City after being strongly linked with Liverpool. He also admitted he wished the club had pursued Declan Rice before his £104m move to Arsenal.
Speaking about Guehi and Semenyo, Gerrard said: "They should be playing for Liverpool, so that hurts even more. We were linked with two of those players and that would have made a big difference to Liverpool. For the price they got them in as well - one on a free, one for £60m. In today's market, they're two bargains. Quality players, experienced, ready to go into their prime years."
Regarding Rice, Gerrard told the Smith Brothers podcast: "I love Declan Rice, I've been singing his praises for a long time. I coached Villa against West Ham before he went to Arsenal. I didn't realise how big he was until I met him in the tunnel. He's got a body to die for, 6ft1in or 6ft2in, with legs and power. He was calm in possession, an animal out of it. I think he's becoming a world-class midfielder. He's maybe one we should've tried to grab from West Ham."
