Liverpool’s wait to hear Martin Zubimendi’s decision over joining them this summer is finally over.
Unfortunately for the Reds, the Spaniard has come down on the wrong side of the coin, opting to stay at Real Sociedad instead.
It is an incredibly disappointing decision from Zubimendi, who looked all set to be the first signing of the Arne Slot era at Anfield.
Moreover, Zubimendi looked like the perfect addition to carry out exactly what Slot wants from his new-look midfield.
With it now widely known that the Dutchman sees a bit of a gaping hole in the middle of the Liverpool squad, the big question for the Reds is whether they go out and get a Zubimendi alternative.
No Martin Zubimendi alternative for Liverpool
Given how long Zubimendi was taking to decide his future, his choice to stay in San Sebastian will not come as a surprise to Liverpool fans.
Although Real Sociedad were resigned to losing Zubimendi initially, the subsequent pressure they put on the 25-year-old to stay has obviously told.
From a Liverpool point of view, there’s plenty of thrust in the argument that we don’t want a player who has to think so long about joining, even if it would involve leaving his boyhood club.
However, that only really becomes relevant if an alternative is lined up and ready to go. If all your eggs are in one player’s basket, then you have to make sure that that player is completely committed to joining.
In Liverpool’s case, though, we’ve seen it before where they will not compromise on a target. And according to journalist David Lynch, that is the case again. They wanted Zubimendi and will not accept bringing in a player who is not top of their list.
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“It’s very much my understanding from Liverpool sources as well that it’s very unlikely an alternative will be targeted in this window,” Lynch says on his YouTube channel.
“There’s a feeling at Liverpool that there’s of lack of real top class options available in that holding midfield role. Zubimendi was very much seen seen as a rare opportunity to get one in,” he adds. “He’s rejected moves in the past but seemingly was ready to move on this summer.
“But now because he’s u-turned on that, again Liverpool are going back into a market they don’t particularly like. I’m told from sources that they felt Zubimendi had a great profile that complimented what they already had in midfield and that’s why they felt he was the right signing.
“They don’t maybe feel that that’s out there as an alternative and they don’t think there’s anyone who would move the dial for them is out there. So, again, it looks like they’ll be ending the summer without a top-class, world-class number six.”
No excuses for lack of Liverpool plan B
This is incredibly disappointing to hear. Liverpool’s approach to the market is admirable in a way, but this is now the third summer that they have not secured their top target in defensive midfield.
More than that, Slot had identified the role as being one that needed upgrading as a priority this year.
For Liverpool to have just one target for that – and that being a player who had a history of turning down big moves already – is unforgivable.
The Reds do have players who can fill in instead, but, as Slot obviously believes, none are naturals for what he wants in the position.
It has been a frustrating market up until this point for Liverpool, but at least it had looked as though they were making moves to plug a hole that has been gaping for years. That they go into another season having failed to do so means the pressure is now on before a ball has been kicked.
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