Another failure: Martin Zubimendi is now the FOURTH no.6 to reject Liverpool

Liverpool are not having things their way when finding a no.6. Martin Zubimendi has said no - and he’s the fourth to do so since 2022.

Liverpool suffered a setback on Monday as Martin Zubimendi rejected their approach and decided to remain with Real Sociedad. The Basque club had pushed hard to keep him and got their way - the midfielder wants to stay with his boyhood club.

The Reds are now left without an ideal option for the role, with The Times reporting that they won't continue their search. Zubimendi was exactly what they wanted and with him out of the picture, there's no one else worth signing.

That's the mentality, rightly or wrongly.

Though, it's nothing new. Liverpool have been here before - in fact, they've been here consistently over the last few years. Zubimendi is the fourth defensive midfielder in two years to reject the Reds.

Liverpool suffer another rejection

Liverpool first pushed big for a no.6 in 2022 when they tried to sign Aurelien Tchouameni from AS Monaco. He admitted that himself to Le Parisien and made it clear he was always going to sign for Real Madrid, despite the Reds' push.

“The first to come forward was Liverpool, we had discussions. Then Real arrived,” Tchouameni explained. “And in my head everything was clear. It was Real and not another.

“It’s the biggest club in the world. If you want to accomplish great things, to mark the history of your sport, there is no better.

Then there was last summer. Liverpool went for Romeo Lavia but pivoted when Moises Caicedo appeared to be available - Chelsea were delaying their move there and the Reds wanted to take advantage.

However, Caicedo rejected a move to Anfield because the groundwork at Chelsea had already been laid. Lavia, not liking Liverpool's pivot, then said 'no', too, and also went to Chelsea.

The Reds just can't catch a break when it comes to finding their perfect defensive midfielder. Zubimendi was supposed to be the answer to their prayers - but he just became the latest failure.