Liverpool attempted to sign Chelsea fullback Malo Gusto in a late deadline day push, according to French journalist Fabrice Hawkins.
Hawkins reports that Liverpool made a “final push” to land Gusto on loan, but the deal ultimately fell through before the window closed.
The key sticking point was structural, with Liverpool only willing to pursue a temporary arrangement that carried no mandatory purchase clause attached.
Chelsea, however, held firm on their desire for a permanent transfer, creating an immediate deadlock that neither club was willing to break.
The London club had reportedly valued Gusto at approximately £75 million earlier in the summer when Manchester City had expressed interest in the defender.
Liverpool were unable to finance a permanent deal of that magnitude, having already committed significant resources to other areas of their squad during the window.
The incompatibility of both clubs’ positions made any compromise impossible, effectively ending Liverpool’s pursuit of the France international before it could gain real momentum.
The failed move leaves Liverpool short of options at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong currently the only senior natural option available to manager Andoni Iraola.
Conor Bradley continues to recover from a lengthy injury sustained last season, leaving Iraola with limited defensive cover on that side of the pitch.
The situation has already forced Iraola into improvisation, deploying Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back late in the match against Nottingham Forest this season.
That approach echoes the previous campaign, when the Hungarian midfielder regularly filled in at right-back under former Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Frimpong’s performances have been shaky since his arrival, adding further pressure on Liverpool’s backroom staff to find a workable solution to their defensive concerns.
Meanwhile, Gusto stays at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has made clear the Frenchman is a significant part of his plans going forward.
Gusto featured in the starting line-up for Chelsea’s Premier League victories over both Fulham and Brighton in the past two weeks, underlining his importance to the squad.