Martin Zubimendi's situation has CHANGED - and so has Liverpool's

Liverpool have suddenly got a decision to make on Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard's situation has changed - but then, so has the Reds'.

Martin Zubimendi is back on the menu. Real Sociedad's sporting director has announced he's stepping down at the end of the season, leaving the Basque club a little lost.

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Importantly, it's unclear what this means for Zubimendi. The midfielder opted to reject Liverpool in the summer - going back on an initial commitment - in order to remain with his boyhood club.

However, part of his reason for staying was the promise of a new contract. That promise quickly turned into a problem, though - Zubimendi wanted quite a bit of money in that new deal.

He still hasn't had the contract. Now the sporting director is disappearing, throwing the promise and Sociedad's plans up into the air.

Liverpool will be among those watching closely and seeing if Zubimendi can be pried away after all. But it's not that simple.

Do Liverpool need Martin Zubimendi?

Liverpool wanted to sign Zubimendi to fit nicely into Arne Slot's new system. The Reds didn't have a 'no.6' and the Spaniard is one of the best around.

£51m felt like a bargain to essentially complete the team. When it didn't happen, Liverpool couldn't see another player capable of doing it and instead decided to go all-in on Ryan Gravenberch in the role.

Fast-forward a few months and Liverpool very much do have a no.6. It's Gravenberch - and he looks like one of the world's best.

It's difficult to see the value in a £51m move right now. Gravenberch appears to be the better bet long-term, given he's younger than Zubimendi, and he continues to improve every week.

Now, maybe Zubimendi could play alongside Gravenberch but that would mean the Dutchman pushing further forward. After all, you're not going to pay £51m to sign someone and then ask them to play anything other than their natural game.

But then Gravenberch is back to playing a similar role as last season - one he simply didn't looking as good in. Suddenly, the risk in paying £51m for Zubimendi isn't 'will he be good?': it's 'will it upset the entire balance of the team?'.

So while the Zubimendi situation has changed in favour of a transfer, Liverpool's situation has headed in the other direction. It just doesn't make sense anymore.

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