The Reds have reportedly given up on signing a defensive midfielder after top transfer target Martin Zubimendi decided to stay at Real Sociedad
So, that's it, then? Liverpool's long-running search for a specialist No.6 is over – at least for this summer – and it has ended in further embarrassment for the club, with Martin Zubimendi rejecting the chance to move to Anfield, even though the Reds were willing to pay his €60 million (£52m/$63m) buy-out clause.
The snub represents a public relations disaster for Liverpool's revamped recruitment team, who have yet to sign a single player this summer or agree renewals with Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of whom will be out of contract at the end of the season.
There is some sympathy among the frustrated supporters for new sporting director Richard Hughes, in the sense that Zubimendi had expressed his willingness to leave San Sebastian before performing a most unexpected U-turn. However, the fanbase is immensely frustrated by the fact that there is reportedly no Plan B.
The strategy was apparently 'Zubimendi or nobody', meaning that for the third summer transfer window in a row, Liverpool have failed to land the defensive midfielder they were so desperately seeking, after missing out on Aurelien Tchouameni in 2022, before losing out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea last year.
Hughes & Co. reportedly believe that there isn't a Zubimendi alternative on the market that would do a better job in Slot's preferred double-pivot than any of the players presently at Anfield – but is that really the case? GOAL breaks down all of the remaining options below…
Getty ImagesBruno Guimaraes
Let's just get this one out of the way immediately: Bruno Guimaraes is the next-best No.6 in the Premier League after Rodri. Some people may point to Declan Rice, but his limitations were exposed at the Euros – particularly his inability to pass the ball forward – whereas Newcastle's Brazilian ball-winning machine can do it all.
Liverpool have obviously spent big in the past to bring in a game-changer like Alisson Becker or Van Dijk, but it's clear that they have little hope of landing Bruno.
Firstly, Newcastle appear to have resolved their financial issues – for now at least – by selling academy graduates. Secondly, Liverpool don't have the colossal amount of money required to persuade the Magpies to part company with their most prized possession, and certainly not at this stage of the transfer window.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesAdrien Rabiot
Adrien Rabiot has been touted as a potential solution, given his versatility and availability on a free transfer. However, while it's true that the former Juventus midfielder fulfilled a variety of roles during his time in Turin, he's not a specialist six.
Rabiot could certainly work in a double-pivot. The 29-year-old did not play well at all at Euro 2024, but he was undeniably impressive alongside the aforementioned Tchouameni at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he was one of France's best players on their run to the final.
However, Rabiot is looking for a serious salary and, just like Joshua Kimmich, who now appears set to stay at Bayern Munich, he does not fit Liverpool's usual age profile for new signings. Furthermore, the Frenchman wouldn't represent an upgrade on the club's existing No.8s.
AFPManuel Ugarte
As it stands, Manuel Ugarte seems far more likely to move to Manchester United but, let's face it, Liverpool could easily beat their great rivals to the Uruguayan's signature if they agreed to match Paris Saint-Germain's asking price – primarily because they can offer Champions League football this season.
Ugarte would certainly add some real bite to Slot's midfield – he's aggressive and makes plenty of tackles and interceptions. However, the apparent lack of interest up until this point is perhaps unsurprising, given the 23-year-old is hardly a defensive midfielder in the mould of the far more progressive and positive Zubimendi.
Getty Morten Hjulmand
If Liverpool had hired Ruben Amorim rather than Arne Slot, perhaps Morten Hjulmand would already be at Anfield. The Denmark international was fantastic in his first season at Sporting CP, after joining last summer from Lecce, and also impressed at Euro 2024, with the highlight of his campaign undoubtedly his long-range equaliser in the group-stage draw with England.
However, while Hjulmand knows full well how to win the ball and use it intelligently, he most certainly doesn't boast the same range of passing as some of the other players on this list. When one also considers that Sporting would drive a hard bargain for his services, it seems unlikely that we'll see Hjulmand at Anfield anytime soon.