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Liverpool made a complete mess of their attempts to bolster Arne Slot's midfield back in the summer as you may remember. They wanted to add Martin Zubimendi to the squad and worked hard to do so.
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They did actually convince the Spaniard to move and Liverpool were completely ready to pay his release clause. Only, Zubimendi then pulled out of the move at the last moment.
That left Liverpool short. They had no alternatives to the midfielder - he was the only one they wanted and could actually strike a deal for.
So when it turned out they couldn't strike that deal, the Reds were left with no new additions. Instead, they focused on repurposing Ryan Gravenberch as a holding midfielder.
That's been a successful pivot, so to speak, but there was one story attached to the transfer that wasn't resolved. And now it's costing Liverpool money.
Tyler Morton's future
Liverpool were supposed to sign Zubimendi and sell Tyler Morton. The midfielder had enjoyed a brilliant spell with Hull City and wanted regular first-team football, with the Reds hoping to cash-in on the hype.
A deal was essentially ready with Bayer Leverkusen and Anfield Watch understands that would have seen Morton move for £20m plus add-ons. But when Zubimendi refused to leave Real Sociedad, Liverpool opted to keep Morton instead.
He's been their backup option at the base of midfield all season but Gravenberch's fitness levels have seen the Dutchman play every week. Morton has barely had a look-in - and now Liverpool are ready to sell.
Paul Joyce of The Times reports that Middlesbrough want to sign Morton on deadline day. However, the figure has dramatically decreased thanks to the youngster's lack of football.
Liverpool are now looking at £10m plus bonuses and while Joyce is clear to point out that it could move 'significantly above £10m', those add-ons still need to trigger. Essentially, the Reds have cost themselves £10m here by failing to sign a midfielder and tanking Morton's value in the process.
Journalist Nazaar Kinsella claims the bid was essentially rejected, with Boro pulling out because the asking price is too high. But this is now Mortno's perceived value - it's essentially cut in half.
What already looked like bad work in the summer now looks even worse.
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