Liverpool must still prove Richard Hughes prediction right as Martin Zubimendi transfer collapses

In a period of change behind the scenes, Liverpool is yet to bring in a new signing this summer . Martin Zubimendi was identified as a target but he has opted to stay with Real Sociedad — and the pressure is on to add more quality elsewhere.

Richard Hughes predicted there would be a "crescendo" of activity in the market in August when he was presented at a press conference at the start of last month alongside Arne Slot . Zubimendi was clearly wanted but with Fabio Carvalho having signed for Brentford and other fringe stars potentially following him out of the door, that wasn't the flurry of moves most people had in mind.

Liverpool arguably lacks depth at center-back and has been missing a world-class holding midfielder for some time. Anthony Gordon is admired but the chances of that deal happening in the next couple of weeks seem slim given he has returned to Newcastle United training and Eddie Howe is adamant he won't be let go .

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While Liverpool can afford to be patient with Gordon because of having five other senior forwards, the need for a defensive midfield player is more pressing. Slot has decided that is an area of his roster that needs a boost and Wataru Endo even suggested it should be a priority earlier in the summer .

"I think it would be better to get a number six midfielder," he said, via MSN . "I think there is a possibility that they are viewing Alexis Mac Allister as a number six, but at the moment there aren’t many number six players to begin with.

"I had the most opportunities to play, and so did Mac Allister. We also had Thiago Alcantara , but he had a lot of injuries and is set to leave the club at the end of this season. We also have [ Stefan Bajcetic ], but it’s still unclear as to whether he will be able to contribute immediately."

Endo has struggled at times in pre-season and doesn't look particularly well suited to playing out through the thirds. He is on the more destructive end of the scale when it comes to holding midfielders, where someone like Zubimendi is an elite passer and tempo dictator.

But what Liverpool needs in the next 17 days, with the transfer window closing on August 30, is not to panic buy. There is no reason to rush into moves and a last-ditch, uncharacteristic attempt to sign this summer's version of Moises Caicedo can surely be ruled out.

Getting someone in — to make Hughes' prediction about August right and add some quality and fresh blood into the Liverpool squad — would be a huge boost at the start of the new era. Adding an elite player at the heart of the Liverpool midfield would not only raise the level of the whole team but also make adapting to Slot's tactical plan much swifter.

That is not to say that Liverpool should simply head out and buy anyone for the sake of it, however. There is a fine line between taking a risk (something Jurgen Klopp admitted he wanted to do more of ) and purchasing a player who is not necessarily the 100 per cent perfect fit. There are names out there, though, that would improve Liverpool.

With three key contracts to be renegotiated — with Virgil van Dijk , Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah — and no news on any of those yet, plus a public prediction having been made about the market heating up this month by the Reds' new sporting director, failing to bring in an alternative to Zubimendi or to strengthen elsewhere would only increase the scrutiny.

While fringe stars being sold off for good money is a good start, the true evaluation of the window will be made from the incomings that are sorted out. In Slot's first summer, adding to the Liverpool squad would make his life easier because he will have better players — but also because a situation where the recruitment team is questioned can be avoided.