Man City now PRIMED to ruin Liverpool's Martin Zubimendi transfer plans

While Liverpool are playing remarkably well with Ryan Gravenberch in the No6 role after Martin Zubimendi snubbed the club this summer, could Manchester City make a move for the Spaniard?

Having a defensive midfielder you can trust is essential to succeeding at the highest level and Rodri's recently announced ACL injury could see the Blues opt for a new replacement.

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Just days after Rodri joined Alisson Becker in speaking out about the risks the new schedule brings to player welfare, the European Championship winner has torn his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the season.

The Ballon d'Or favourite managed just 15 minutes before coming off against Arsenal on Sunday and despite Kovacic coming on and playing well in the No6 role, Manchester City now find themselves incredibly vulnerable.

Rodri was perhaps the first name on the current Champions' teamsheet, dominating every game he featured in, with the team noticeably dropping off when he was absent.

Martin Zubimendi is perhaps the ideal replacement for Rodri. He is, after all, his backup for the Spanish national team. Now the allure of fellow countryman Pep Guardiola could enable Manchester Club to seriously get one over the Reds.

Liverpool's Zubimendi saga continues...

For a substantial part of Liverpool's summer, the club focused on bringing in a defensive midfielder - as they had done for the past three years.

Upon scouting Zubimendi as a perfect fit for Liverpool's midfield, finally filling the hole left by Fabinho, Richard Hughes got to work negotiating a deal.

Throughout the busy weeks of August, reports suggested an agreement had been struck with Real Sociedad, but terms with the player were the only remaining factor.

In a bizarre piece of news, it was reported that Zubimendi was being convinced by a club official to stay as he would otherwise miss the Balkan culture, the food and the mountains of his local area.

Ever since the Spaniard went on to snub Liverpool, it has become a meme on social media to use any potential suitor's culture as a fun joke, with Trafford's 'mountains' in Manchester the next running theme should City attempt to bring Zubimendi to the Premier League.

While nothing even remotely concrete has come out linking City to the player, it is likely that the Champions will be looking for reinforcements after Rodri's unfortunate injury and should Liverpool fancy a second attempt at Zubimendi - and Fabrizio Romano understands they want another go - they may have more competition to deal with.