I think Arne Slot already has a No.6 who can be the future of Liverpool's midfield

With time running out for Liverpool to bolster their ranks this summer, Arne Slot looks set to continue deploying one of his existing crop of players in holding midfield. The Reds came close to concluding to bringing in a new No.6 earlier this month when Euro 2024 winner Martin Zubimendi voiced his desire to move to Anfield.

However, the Spain international subsequently reneged on his decision, opting instead to remain at boyhood club Real Sociedad after they launched a charm offensive to keep their star in San Sebastian.

It was a huge blow for Liverpool, who had identified Zubimendi as their number one target to shore up Slot's midfield.

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Despite the setback, the Reds - who remain the only club in Europe's top five leagues not to make a signing this summer - started the Premier League season with a win on Saturday, beating newly-promoted Ipswich Town 2-0 thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah.

Slot opted to start Ryan Gravenberch in the No.6 role and the Dutchman did well at Portman Road,

However, Liverpool legend John Barnes believes his former club have another midfield weapon in their arsenal who could be unleashed this term.

Barnes, who scored 108 goals in 407 appearances for the Reds, has tipped teenager Stefan Bajcetic to make the No.6 role his own in the coming years.

Speaking to Compare.bet, the former England international said: "You also can look at Bajcetic. Obviously (Wataru) Endo came in as a stop-gap to play in that role.

"He’s a very good defensive midfield player. But the way that Arne Slot wants to play, I think he wants more quality on the ball in terms of playing the ball forward, quickly, playing it into the pockets, playing one or two touch, I think Endo is very good defensively, but I think that the number six role to Liverpool is going to be like a Pirlo type of role, who is very good in possession.

"So, Bajcetic can do that. Curtis Jones can and I’d say him more than Gravenberch, because Curtis Jones has played there. Gravenberch has played there but perhaps not quite as much. I think that Bajcetic, once he gets 100% fit, that role is his.

"It's a different kind of a role that number six, and I think that it probably would have suited Thiago the way that Arne Slot wants to play.

"But of course, he's not there. So yeah, I think that Curtis Jones could play in that role. But I think that long term, that'll be Bajcetic.”

Bajcetic joined Liverpool's academy from Celta Vigo in 2022 and went on to make his senior debut for the club against AFC Bournemouth in August 2022.

It marked the start of a breakthrough season for the Spaniard. However, he missed much of last term through injury and has been the subject of plenty of loan interest this summer.