Arne Slot drops TANTALISING hint of Martin Zubimendi future

Liverpool came close to losing Wataru Endo last summer. They came close to signing Martin Zubimendi too.

Japan captain Endo was the subject of strong interest from Marseille but the Reds hierarchy opted against accepting the fee the French side were offering.

READ MORE: Liverpool prepare to spend £65m on SPECIAL England international

It was a bewildering circumstance for a player who became a fan favourite under Jurgen Klopp during his first season at the club. An unheralded recruit from Stuttgart in 2023, the 31-year-old was a stop-gap signing following the failure to recruit either Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia.

He outperformed both last season, winning the EFL Cup into the bargain. However, just a few weeks into the reign of Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, Endo was for the birds.

Endo out, Zubi in?

At one stage it appeared as though it would be a case of Endo out, Zubimendi in. But the Spanish Euro 2024 winner opted to remain at Real Sociedad - for another transfer window at least.

And combined with the collapse of the Endo - Marseille deal, Liverpool’s midfield went into the new season largely as it finished the last.

There have been increased roles for Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch but Endo has suffered most. Very much a 'closer' when it comes to Premier League action, the defensive midfielder seemingly cannot command the same level of trust and respect from the new head coach as he did from Klopp.

But there are positive signs for Endo, not least following his solid if unspectacular display for the EFL Cup holders during their quarter-final win against Southampton on Wednesday.

Selected at centre-back, with a remit to join the midfielders, Endo was named player of the match. He finished the game not only with great numbers but also with the endorsement of a coach who had scarcely trusted him to this point.

“If I have to give someone a big compliment, it is Endo Wata, because he played in a different position and playing such a good game in these circumstances,” Slot said afterwards.

“That shows you what a quality player he is, but maybe mainly what kind of mentality and personality he has.”

Endo played in a hybird left-sided centre-back / midfield role, keeping it simple on the ball and putting out fires on the counter. It was a textbook display and one which offered the Reds added security and control in the middle.

The statistics don’t tell the whole story but they are very important to note regardless. He finished the game with one block, two interceptions and four tackles to his name.

He won eight of eight ground duels and three of five in the air. That is not to be sniffed at, considering Endo is 5’9 and one of the aerial challenges he won was against the Saints’ 6’9 striker Paul Onuachu.

He boasted 101 touches overall, completing 79 of his 85 passes attempted for a percentage of 93.

His display has led to increased calls for Slot to lean on him more often, particularly with Gravenberch showing signs of wear and tear and the Reds facing a very busy end to December.

But more importantly, the role played by Endo on Wednesday laid down the blueprint for what could be Zubimendi’s function if the club manage to entice him from Real Sociedad.

Zubimendi is a very different player to Gravenberch, more similar in his tasks to Endo. This was a tantalising glimpse of what might come to pass if his signing is secured.

But in the meantime, Endo is not done yet. He will probably end up staying through the January transfer window as he continues to remain uppermost in the thoughts of Slot.

Should he move on next summer however, he has already set the template for what Zubi’s job should be.

READ MORE: Mo Salah admits he is now READY to consider other contract offers