Dry your eyes and save your tears, Liverpool fans – missing out on Martin Zubimendi isn’t the end of the world.

Well, at least that’s how the club are seeing it.

The Reds made a big push to sign the Spain star from Real Sociedad, but he has reaffirmed his loyalty to his hometown club and will stay in San Sebastian.

90min understands Liverpool will not rush into signing an alternative for Zubimendi if they don’t feel one fits the required mould.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t actually similarly suitable midfielders out there waiting for them.

Here are six midfielders we think Liverpool should be looking at to play in that holding midfield role.

With a previously active release clause and Newcastle United in PSR trouble, it looked as if Bruno Guimaraes would leave St James’ Park earlier in the summer.

Alas, the Magpies found other creative methods to ease those financial concerns and Guimaraes’ release clause has expired, though 90min understands Liverpool did sniff around at that time.

It’s unlikely the Reds will make a new approach this window, but the Brazil international should definitely be in their long-term thinking.

Following Atalanta’s sensational run to UEFA Europa League glory at the end of last season, there was a clamour across Europe for star midfielder Ederson.

Reports from Italy went as far as to claiming he was close to joining Liverpool, though as it turns out these were fairly wide of the mark.

That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t suit Arne Slot’s system, however. Capable of getting up and down the pitch but also of the requisite technique needed to thrive in the way Zubimendi would have, Liverpool could do a lot worse.

Another Brazilian midfielder that Liverpool like is Joao Gomes of Wolves, though again their route to a ready-made Premier League solution will probably be blocked by sky-high financial demands.

The Old Gold could demand as much as £60m. If Liverpool were to pay that, they would essentially be banking on him having a superstar breakout season straight away, which doesn’t feel like a risk worth taking right now.

Ah, the wildcard options. How fun.

Liverpool want an energetic midfielder who is equally as fine holding his position. Why haven’t they been more heavily linked with Frenkie de Jong then?

Sure, it could require a significant financial outlay in order to pry him away from Barcelona, and even if they agreed a fee Manchester United would probably try and match it, but the Dutchman would fit like a glove at Anfield.

Talk about a statement signing – Joshua Kimmich, from under the noses of the rest of Europe’s elite.

Your mind has probably wandered to the Thiago Alcantara deal of 2020, which was mixed to say the least.

Now, the problem with Thiago is he was never fit, and on some level Liverpool probably knew he was never going to be fit. That same logic wouldn’t apply for Kimmich, whose injury history is nowhere near as hazy and is desperate to play as a midfielder again.

Adam Wharton’s rise in 2024 has been an enjoyable one, instantly establishing himself as a Crystal Palace favourite and even making his way into England’s European Championship squad.

At this rate, he’s sure to be sold for big money in a year or two. At this rate, he should be right towards the top of Liverpool’s shortlist.

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