Arne Slot tells reporter ‘There’s no point talking about him’ as he leaps to defence of Liverpool player in press conference

Arne Slot refused to talk about a player while defending one of his Liverpool stars in a press conference.

Liverpool take on Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s shock 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Slot’s side did defeat AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro on Tuesday, however, to kick-start their Champions League campaign in a positive manner.

Questions have been raised over the lack of squad rotation in the early weeks of the season – something Slot admits he will begin to do as Liverpool‘s schedule begins to rise in intensity.

The Dutchman was asked about the topic of rotation in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Bournemouth clash.

And he answered the question by bringing up Martin Zubimendi, who Liverpool attempted to sign in the summer transfer window.

The Spaniard turned down Liverpool to stay at Real Sociedad – and Slot says that now is the time to stop talking about the midfielder while backing his own players.

He said: “If I could have bought Martin Zubimendi, then maybe I could have rotated a bit more and the media would be a lot more happy about it!

“But there is no point talking about him, as he stayed with Real Sociedad. We’re so happy with Ryan Gravenberch.”

Gravenberch has been operating as the deeper midfielder in a three-man midfield at the start of the season, having played further forward in his first campaign at the club under Jurgen Klopp.

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And Slot praised the Netherlands international for how he has adapted to the change.

He said: “I think it helps if it is not the first time you have to do this.

“So every day on the training pitch trying to receive balls through the lines, in games he receives balls through the lines.

“That helps your confidence if things go well. And it’s what you see at the moment – 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.”