Liverpool currently look set to begin the season with the same primary issue in the playing squad that they ended last year with.
The Reds have so far failed to do any business at all this summer and will head to Portman Road to start their Premier League campaign on Saturday looking ever so slightly short.
That had not been the plan, of course. With the issue of signing a new defensive midfielder top of Arne Slot’s wish list in August, Liverpool tried to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
While Liverpool thought they had a yes from Zubimendi, though, it turns out that the pull of staying with his hometown club was stronger for the Spaniard.
Seemingly part of the reason Zubimendi stayed at Anoeta was down to the promise of a new and improved contract with La Real. But as things reportedly hit the buffers in that respect, is there now a possibility that Liverpool return?
James Pearce shares Martin Zubimendi prediction
Zubimendi looked like a good choice for Liverpool to sort out what has become a real problem position for them.
However, there had always been a feeling that it would be difficult to get Zubimendi out of Sociedad.
Nevertheless, the Reds gave it a really good shot and by all accounts almost pulled it off.
Now, though, with Zubimendi set to stay put in San Sebastian, The Times report that contract talks between the player and his club are proving ‘problematic.’
This led to some hope online from Liverpool supporters that a deal was not completely dead yet. And asked that very question by Born N’Red on Playback, journalist James Pearce gave his thoughts.
READ MORE: Liverpool told Real Sociedad they can have one player on role as part of Martin Zubimendi deal
“It’s difficult to say, I don’t have any indication at this time that Liverpool feel it can be revived,” Pearce answered. “If there was the opportunity to then they wouldn’t suddenly have gone off him in the last 24 hours, but at the minute I haven’t spoken to anyone that seriously thinks it can be revived.
“New contract talks and a pay rise was part of the play from Sociedad in terms of convincing him to stay put but it was never going to be about wages. Liverpool would have blown Sociedad out of the water in terms of personal terms.
“It was more to do with that emotional bond with the club,” he adds. “So, I’d be surprised if you have a scenario where he doesn’t get what he wants financially from Sociedad and suddenly changes his mind again and says ‘Liverpool, can we get it done’.
“Stranger things have happened in football but at the moment there’s no indication certainly from anyone I’ve spoken to that that’s going to happen.”
Liverpool should keep an eye on Zubimendi situation
Some Liverpool supporters will perhaps be of the view that even if Zubimendi did suddenly change his mind once again, that the Reds should walk away anyway.
Having said no to Liverpool once, plenty would not give the 25-year-old a second chance.
However, we don’t see it that way. Liverpool seem to be adamant that it was Zubimendi or no one for the No.6 role this summer.
As a result, if there is a slight seed of doubt with the contract situation then the Reds should try and seize that opportunity and put their own offer back on the table.
As Pearce says, stranger things have happened, and if there’s a chink in Sociedad’s armour here then they have to try and capitalise on that.
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