Liverpool failed in their pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, inviting a lot of criticism and mockery in football. Sporting director Richard Hughes is under a lot of pressure to deliver results and back the head coach Arne Slot.

Liverpool are also nowhere near extending the contract of captain Virgil van Dijk, vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold and legend Mohamed Salah. The situation is turning from bad to worse as the new Premier League season begins for the Reds on Saturday.

Liverpool are the only club in Europe who are yet to sign a single player despite having a new coach. Usually, the club backs the new staff in the transfer market to prepare for the future, but Slot has to wait.

While the Dutchman has inherited a strong squad from his predecessor and legendary manager Jurgen Klopp, the team is still vulnerable. Liverpool signed Wataru Endo after failing to sign Moises Caicedo and the Japanese succeeded, proving any naysayer wrong last season.

However, Endo has pointed out that the club needs recruitment in the number six position before the new season. After the Zubimendi debacle, the Spanish press spent time mocking Liverpool for facing repeated rejections by different players.

They highlighted Aurelien Tchouameni, Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and now Zubimendi even though they ignored the different circumstances in each pursuit. Nevertheless, Caicedo and Zubimendi displays Liverpool’s knack for going after players in a dodgy situation while having no suitable alternatives.

In their defence, Liverpool want someone to straightaway play in the first-team and given their squad strength. The real question that the Liverpool fans face now is- Are there really no worthy alternatives to Zubimendi?

The truth is that few alternatives remain, and Liverpool cannot appear desperate for a number six. As the transfer window draws near the end, other clubs would prefer to keep their best players in their club.

Adam Wharton and his unrealistic price tag

According to football journalist Jacque Talbot (via FooballTransfer), Crystal Palace have put a £100 million valuation on Wharton amid Liverpool’s interest. The Eagles argue that their young Englishman has more potential than Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo who cost more money.

However, Wharton has only played half of the season in the Premier League for Palace after joining them in January. While Wharton enjoyed the steep rise, he has a lot to prove before achieving such price tags.

Palace’s move also proves that they are not eager to sell the 20-year-old but understand the situation at Liverpool. The Reds have used patience in the transfer market in the past decade which helped them make astute decisions.

The fans rightly feel frustrated because they wanted a midfield solution, but panicking and making a rushed purchase would be a mistake. Wharton possesses immense potential but his lack of experience in the top league is a major risk.

It is in Liverpool’s best interest to wait another season and watch his development rather than take a heavy risk. Liverpool will use the remaining two weeks in the transfer market to strengthen their squad only for the right players.

In the current situation, the Reds have a strong depth in the squad and they are in the market for quality over quantity. Liverpool also highlighted left-back, centre-back and attacking wing positions as the areas to strengthen during the start of the summer.

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They can focus on other areas while hoping Slot’s tactical tweaks could negate the need for a number six of Zubimendi’s calibre. Given the unrealistic price tag, Wharton will remain at Palace to continue his development while getting regular first-team football.