Liverpool has its new Thiago in Martin Zubimendi as Arne Slot eyes dictator transfer

Liverpool might finally be about to fill its defensive midfield void with the addition of Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The Reds are being linked with a genuine move for the Euro 2024 winner this summer as Arne Slot aims to find his ideal man to play the No.6 role and should they capture the 25-year-old, it would represent a major step in the right direction for the Dutchman.

Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool's midfield in a rejuvenated state following the additions of Dominik Szoboszlai , Alexis Mac Allister , Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo last summer, with the German ensuring a rebuild was started prior to his exit at the end of last season.

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Following the departures of James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson and, most importantly, Fabinho, it was crucial that the right replacements were brought in. While the first four names were effectively replaced, the Brazilian ultimately wasn't.

Endo appeared to be the most natural of the quartet of last year's signing to fit the defensive midfield role, yet he doesn't appear to be favored by new boss Slot for the coming season, who has already trialed Szoboszlai and Gravenberch in the defensive midfield role in pre-season.

Midfield number were depleted further following the departure of Thiago this summer, following the expiration of his contract. The Spaniard endured an injury-hit career at Anfield and has already announced his decision to retire from professional football.

Filling that void as well as the No.6 role will be tough, but Slot feels Zubimendi is the man to do it. In fact, the Real Sociedad midfielder could even become the second coming of former Barcelona and Bayern Munich man Thiago - except for the injuries, of course.

The 33-year-old may have been limited to just one appearance last season but in the three seasons prior, he featured 98 times for the Reds, grabbing three goals and six assists, and was instrumental in helping them lift the FA Cup and reaching the Champions League final in the 2021-22 campaign.

Thiago was best known for his creativity and technical ability, possessing excellent dribbling skills and ball control that ultimately allowed him to operate effectively as a deep-seated playmaker from midfield. He didn't need to attack or push too far forward; just give him the ball and he'll do the rest.

Upon his arrival in 2020, Klopp said the "wonderful" Thiago would "demand rhythm" and "create and use space for other players". The German also complimented the Spaniard's work-rate and highlighted his outrageous numbers for most interceptions and ball recoveries.

Potentially taking over the reins is highly-rated Sociedad star Zubimendi, whose versatile style of play has already drawn comparisons to the likes of Thiago's former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets. Like Thiago, however, Zubimendi's current role involves initiating plays from deep positions.

After being described as a collected controller of the quintessential Spanish midfield in a report by The Athletic 12 months ago, he went and followed that up with four appearances at Euro 2024 to help La Roja lift the trophy. Most notably, he came off the bench at half-time of the final against England to restore order and control to the midfield. Spain won 2-1.

Zubimendi has always been a tidy mover of the ball and perhaps it's no surprise given he worked under Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso in Real Sociedad's B team. Speaking to the Guardian in 2022, he said: “With him, I learned to recognise and differentiate [types of] presses, overcoming them. Before then, I played the way that more or less came naturally. With him I started to truly understand concepts for bringing the ball out, building play."

Zubimendi won't provide you with lots of goals and assists, but he'll float across the pitch, speed things up and slow them back down, dictating the style of play, and sustain the union between the midfield and defence. In a Liverpool team that prides itself on counter-pressing and attack, one must sit back from the rest - and that is Zubimendi.

While a deal is nowhere near completion just yet, it would represent a major statement of intent from the Reds and provide Slot with the missing piece to his midfield puzzle. With Szoboszlai and Mac Allister sat in front of him, it's hard not to get carried away by thinking what Liverpool could be capable of this season.