Liverpool's search for a specialist No.6: Are there really no other viable alternatives for Arne Slot's side after embarrassing Martin Zubimendi snub?

Let's just get this one out of the way immediately: Bruno Guimaraes is the next-best No.6 in the Premier League after Rodri. Some people may point to Declan Rice, but his limitations were exposed at the Euros - particularly his inability to pass the ball forward - whereas Newcastle's Brazilian ball-winning machine can do it all.

Liverpool have obviously spent big in the past to bring in a game-changer like Alisson Becker or Van Dijk, but it's clear that they have little hope of landing Bruno.

Firstly, Newcastle appear to have resolved their financial issues - for now at least - by selling academy graduates. Secondly, Liverpool don't have the colossal amount of money required to persuade the Magpies to part company with their most prized possession, and certainly not at this stage of the transfer window.

Adrien Rabiot has been touted as a potential solution, given his versatility and availability on a free transfer. However, while it's true that the former Juventus midfielder fulfilled a variety of roles during his time in Turin, he's not a specialist six.

Rabiot could certainly work in a double-pivot. The 29-year-old did not play well at all at Euro 2024, but he was undeniably impressive alongside the aforementioned Tchouameni at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he was one of France's best players on their run to the final.

However, Rabiot is looking for a serious salary and, just like Joshua Kimmich, who now appears set to stay at Bayern Munich, he does not fit Liverpool's usual age profile for new signings. Furthermore, the Frenchman wouldn't represent an upgrade on the club's existing No.8s.

As it stands, Manuel Ugarte seems far more likely to move to Manchester United but, let's face it, Liverpool could easily beat their great rivals to the Uruguayan's signature if they agreed to match Paris Saint-Germain's asking price - primarily because they can offer Champions League football this season.

Ugarte would certainly add some real bite to Slot's midfield - he's aggressive and makes plenty of tackles and interceptions. However, the apparent lack of interest up until this point is perhaps unsurprising, given the 23-year-old is hardly a defensive midfielder in the mould of the far more progressive and positive Zubimendi.

If Liverpool had hired Ruben Amorim rather than Arne Slot, perhaps Morten Hjulmand would already be at Anfield. The Denmark international was fantastic in his first season at Sporting CP, after joining last summer from Lecce, and also impressed at Euro 2024, with the highlight of his campaign undoubtedly his long-range equaliser in the group-stage draw with England.

However, while Hjulmand knows full well how to win the ball and use it intelligently, he most certainly doesn't boast the same range of passing as some of the other players on this list. When one also considers that Sporting would drive a hard bargain for his services, it seems unlikely that we'll see Hjulmand at Anfield anytime soon.

Plenty of Liverpool supporters have already started championing Adam Wharton as the solution to the club's problem position - and it's easy to understand why. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a rise that can only be described as meteoric, having gone from the Championship to the European Championship in the space of six months.

Wharton certainly has all the attributes Liverpool are looking for in a No.6 - he's not only a destructive force, his composure on the ball is staggering for one so young - but it's hard to see Crystal Palace even entertaining the idea of parting company with a player they only signed from Blackburn Rovers in January.

Going by the hardball approach with Newcastle over the sale of Marc Guehi, the Eagles would also demand an astronomical fee for Wharton, who has already been capped at senior level by England.

The January links to Genoa's Morten Frendrup have gone quiet over the past few months, which is somewhat surprising, as the Dane still looks like a decent fit for Liverpool - not to mention an affordable option. A versatile midfielder that is also capable of playing at right-back, Frendrup is fantastic when it comes to winning duels, possession and tackles.

However, he's seeing more and more game time as an eight rather than a six, and, as with Ugarte, Liverpool's analysts probably don't consider the 23-year-old as good a passer as Zubimendi, or as adept at dictating the pace of a game.

Alan Varela only joined Porto last summer, but links with Liverpool started to surface long before the end of last season after a fine debut campaign at the Dragao that featured a Man-of-the-Match-winning performance against Arsenal in the Champions League.

A product of Boca Juniors' famed academy, the Argentine is a combative character who has been regularly compared to former Anfield favourite Javier Mascherano by his compatriots, and while he has yet to be captained by his country - which underlines that he remains a work in progress - the 23-year-old's game has evolved incredibly over the past year.

Indeed, it's worth nothing that there has also been talk of interest from Manchester City, but neither they nor Liverpool presently seem inclined to activate the reported €70m (£60m/$70m) buyout clause in his Porto contract. Definitely one to keep an eye on, though...

Exequiel Palacios proved himself one of the best defensive midfielders in world football last season by playing an integral role in Bayern Leverkusen's unbeaten domestic double, as well as their run to the final of the Europa League. The problem is, though, that Liverpool knew all about the Argentine's potential last summer, when they were a number of clubs interested in signing him. Unfortunately for them, Palacios penned a new contract with Leverkusen that binds him to the BayArena until 2028.

Palacios is perfect for Liverpool, the ideal double-pivot partner for a more offensively-minded midfielder like Granit Xhaka. The 25-year-old constantly recovers possession, his passing is excellent, while he also offers an attacking threat, as underlined by last season's haul of six goals and six assists. Xabi Alonso, though, would never countenance his sale.

How is Ederson not Plan B for Liverpool?! A compelling argument could even have been made for him being Plan A all along. The Brazilian broke into the Brazil squad thanks to his all-action performances for Atalanta last season - just before playing a starring role in La Dea's demolition of the previously undefeated Leverkusen in the Europa League final in Dublin.

There are few better midfielders on the continent in terms of reclaiming possession, winning tackles and making interceptions. Ederson, who outperformed Zubimendi last season in so many key areas, boasts quarterback-like distribution from his deep-lying role but is also a threat in the opposition box, as illustrated by last season's tally of seven goals in all competitions.

Atalanta would obviously be loath to lose such an important player before the window closes, but the club's business model is founded upon selling on bargain buys at a significant profit. Tellingly, Ederson has also previously admitted his interested in playing in the Premier League amid links with Liverpool earlier this summer.

Ederson obviously wouldn't come cheap - just look at the way Atalanta fleeced Manchester United for Rasmus Hojlund - but if they're looking for a top-class No.6, Ederson is the best option.