Liverpool missed out on England international centre-back Marc Guehi after he joined Manchester City from Crystal Palace yesterday.
The 25-year-old has joined Man City for an initial £20 million, with Liverpool deciding not to challenge them as they considered the total package too much, according to The Athletic.
Spending on his transfer fee, paying his high wages and agent fees, when he would have been available on a free transfer in five months, did not appeal to the Reds.
Liverpool will hope both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate remain fit for the rest of the season, as they have no plans to sign a centre-back at the moment.
They are without Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni for the rest of the season due to injuries, but will call upon other defenders to cover if necessary.
Liverpool fans are fuming that the club have allowed Guehi to join a fierce rival, having come very close to signing him last summer.
The Reds were unwilling to challenge May City given the overall investment required to sign him, and they will hope the decision does not come back to bite them.
They are fourth in the league table after 22 games, 14 points off leaders Arsenal and just four points ahead of 10th-placed Everton.
The Reds could do with top additions after drawing their last four league games, but the club are not keen on completing any deals.
