Liverpool plan to strengthen their midfield in 2025, with a target already selected

Liverpool had a low-key summer transfer window, but it hasn’t impacted their on-field performance.

Under new manager Arne Slot, the Reds have had a flawless start to the season, winning all three games and not conceding a goal.

Although it seemed Liverpool might struggle after the departure of former manager Jurgen Klopp, that has not been the case.

They have brought in goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will spend the season on loan at Valencia, and winger Federico Chiesa, who has yet to play for the club.

Their main target this summer was Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who turned down a move to Anfield at the last moment despite initially agreeing to join.

However, GiveMeSport reports that Liverpool remains interested in Zubimendi and plans to pursue him again next year.

Slot is in need of a new number 6, and Zubimendi is the player he aims to target for that role.

Even though midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been performing well and dominating the midfield, Slot is said to be a fan of Zubimendi and wants to bring him to Liverpool next year.

While Liverpool signed two players, their transfer activity was ultimately seen as disappointing, particularly with their failure to secure their primary target.

Zubimendi’s choice to reject Liverpool was unexpected, given the opportunity the Reds offered.

Liverpool will make another attempt to sign the Spanish midfielder

The Euro 2024 winner chose to remain at his boyhood club, and only time will tell if it was the right choice.

Currently, Real Sociedad sits 12th in La Liga with just one win from four matches, whereas Liverpool is second in the Premier League, just behind Manchester City.

Zubimendi would likely have a better chance of winning silverware at Anfield than at Anoeta Stadium.

Liverpool will make another attempt to sign Zubimendi next year, with hopes of finally securing his services.

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Joel Matip might rejoin Premier League as interest in free transfer emerges

Joel Matip is now attracting interest from another Premier League club, as he has yet to find a new team since his departure from Liverpool in June.

Matip was one of 11 players released by Liverpool when his contract ended, and he is the only one still deciding his next move.

While Thiago has retired and Adrian, Mateusz Musialowski, and Melkamu Frauendorf have all signed with new teams on free transfers, the 33-year-old Matip has been considering his options.

Bayer Leverkusen had shown interest, but a move to Xabi Alonso’s team seems less likely now that Jonathan Tah will remain at the BayArena past the transfer deadline.

Currently, Matip is drawing interest from West Ham, with Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth reporting that the club is evaluating him as they look for late additions in the centre-back position.

Ex-Sheffield United defender John Egan is another potential target, with Sheth noting that “talks are ongoing with their representatives.”

This interest comes after Kurt Zouma (to Al-Orobah) and Nayef Aguerd (to Real Sociedad) left on loan late in the transfer window, leaving Julen Lopetegui with only three senior centre-backs: Max Kilman, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Jean-Clair Todibo.

Matip could provide experienced cover, and a move to West Ham would likely ensure him ample playing time.

It remains uncertain whether Matip, who has spent eight years in England, would be open to such a switch. A return to Germany seemed more feasible, and other reports suggested he had offers from Europe and Asia.

With the transfer window closed and no new centre-back added at Liverpool, some fans have even suggested re-signing Matip might be a wise move. However, this seems unlikely given that Joe Gomez remains at the club and Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Jarell Quansah are all established key players.