Liverpool’s approach for Martin Zubimendi was one of the higher profile misses for a top club in recent memory.
And it wasn’t just the transfer itself that was a miss, but it was the manner in which the rejection came. Liverpool had reportedly agreed a fee with Real Sociedad for the transfer, but it was Zubimendi himself who rejected the club.
READ MORE: 'EXCEPTIONAL' Liverpool midfielder suffers MAJOR injury blow
For a club of Liverpool’s size, who were aiming to push for the league title and contend in the Champions League, that doesn’t happen too often.
This led to even more confusion when it was reported recently that Liverpool were going to be going back in for Zubimendi regardless. Clearly, his assessment as the perfect player for Arne Slot’s system meant that the club weren’t willing to take no for an answer.
Another twist to the tale came when reports from Spain suggested that Zubimendi himself had regrets over rejecting Liverpool in the summer, and suggestions that he was actually more persuaded into it than making the decision himself.
Buoyed by this news, it seems like Arne Slot’s main target might just be ready to come and contribute from as early as January.
But that’s all taken a bit of a left turn now as he left Sociedad’s game on Sunday just five minutes after half time with a lower back injury.
Zubimendi's injury leaves his Liverpool future in doubt
People are only guessing at the severity of the injury for the moment, but with rumours that he could be out until the new year, any chance of passing a medical is immediately up in the air.
It also brings about the question of what Liverpool do now. They don’t actually need a player in defensive midfield - Ryan Gravenberch is doing a more than fine job of that - and Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai are doing a good a job as any to keep Liverpool the best team in world football at the moment.
But Zubimendi is clearly a world-class talent and Slot wants him for his system more than seemingly any other player in world football.
We trust Arne Slot. If he wants Zubimendi this badly then the club shouldn[‘t shy away from again going and getting him.
But any complications or longer-term issues brought about by this injury could spell disaster for both the player and the club.
There are alternatives. There have to be.
But with Manchester City rumoured to be lurking, this makes any decision ten times harder.
READ MORE: Liverpool receive new offer for 'INCREDIBLE' defender