---
title: "Ceballos reveals why he snubbed move to Liverpool last summer"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/ceballos-reveals-why-he-snubbed-move-to-liverpool-last-summer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-02-12T19:30:00Z"
modified: "2020-02-12T19:30:00Z"
---

# Ceballos reveals why he snubbed move to Liverpool last summer

Dani Ceballos has revealed that he snubbed a move to Liverpool last summer, admitting he doesn’t think he would suit the Reds’ style of play currently.

The Spaniard was [linked](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2019/07/10/tottenham-in-talks-with-liverpool-linked-ceballos/) with Liverpool before the start of last season, prior to [joining](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11770333/dani-ceballos-joins-arsenal-on-loan-from-real-madrid) Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid.

Ceballos has found it tough to settle at the Emirates, however, making just [seven Premier League starts](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/144890/Show/Dani-Ceballos) in 2019/20,

In an interview with [Marca](https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2020/02/12/5e3bf120268e3e9d218b45e6.html), the 23-year-old admitted he had a chance to join Liverpool, but opted against the idea:

> I was proud to have a club like Liverpool after me, but I chose Arsenal because of Unai Emery and how he was with me. Right now, I wouldn’t fit in at Liverpool very well.

### Read Liverpool Verdict

I thought Ceballos could’ve be an excellent addition at Liverpool, having watched him thrive in Spain’s [triumphant](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48812993) Euro Under-21 Championship campaign last summer. He had the technical ability to shine in Jurgen Klopp’s ball-playing side, but also a tenacity to his game that looked tailor-made for the more physical Premier League.

In hindsight, however, Ceballos may not have succeeded at Liverpool, with the pace of English football passing him by too often. That was evident when Arsenal were [beaten 3-1 at Anfield](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49378898) in August, with the midfielder later [hailing](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dani-ceballos-arsenal-liverpool-anfield-16907617) the Reds as the best team he has faced in his career.

Liverpool’s midfield is all about physicality and industry, and I’m not convinced Ceballos would have flourished in that environment. He has averaged [1.7 tackles](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/144890/Show/Dani-Ceballos) per game in the league for Arsenal, in fairness – more than Gini Wijnaldum ([1.0](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/33568/Show/Georginio-Wijnaldum)) – but this season’s overall evidence suggests he may not have settled, otherwise he would be playing more for the Gunners currently.