Liverpool 'machine' who Jurgen Klopp LOVED now looks lost in light of the big news

Liverpool’s primary transfer target is out in the open - but it leaves one current ‘machine’ at the club looking a little lost.

The cat's out of the bag as reports on Wednesday saw the player Liverpool are targeting named as Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad. The Spaniard was one of the biggest names linked with the Reds since the Athletic reported they'd honed in on a no.6.

It remains to be seen if Liverpool can actually strike a deal for Zubimendi but it appears he's their no.1 target. We've been here before, though - the Reds can really want a player but it doesn't mean they really want to pay the money for him.

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Time will tell on that one.

What has been 'confirmed' (essentially) is Liverpool's desire to strengthen in the middle. They're after a new holding midfielder and are seemingly willing to pay a substantial amount to get him.

So what does that mean for the one true holding midfielder currently at the club? Wataru Endo suddenly looks a little lost.

Wataru Endo's future

Liverpool rejected an offer for Endo last month. Marseille came in with £14m but the Reds said no and a part of the reason why was because they couldn't find a suitable replacement.

Well, now they have.

Even if Liverpool don't ultimately sign Zubimendi, they've made it abundantly clear that they feel they can do better than Endo. It's not a good position for him to be in.

Now 31, Endo isn't a player who will improve over the next year or two - once he's lost his place, he's not likely to win it back. Any non-Zubimendi minutes are likely to go to Stefan Bajcetic or (if he remains at the club) Tyler Morton - i.e. younger players who can develop in the role.

This feels like a sign that Liverpool will move Endo on after one year. Certain reports claim his future isn't tied to Zubimendi arriving but it's difficult to see how that's the case when there's actively interest in him. Keeping him feels like leaving money on the table for no good reason.

Jurgen Klopp was a big fan of Endo, even if he wasn't his first-choice signing. He called Endo a 'machine' and 'one of the hardest-working' people he'd ever met.

But it feels like it'll be a one-and-done for the Japan international. The new manager wants an upgrade and it seems the club are happy to provide him with one.