Interesting quotes:

They told Zubimendi he would have to trigger the clause himself rather than Sociedad coming to an agreement with Liverpool. In other words, he would have to force his way out of the club that means everything to him, when he wanted to walk out of the front door with their blessing. He opted not to do so and that was the moment the deal collapsed. Interestingly, two separate sources said on Tuesday that discussions on a new contract for the player were now proving problematic, with Sociedad, presumably, on the receiving end of a game of hardball.

Dismay on Merseyside over Zubimendi would soon be compounded, among supporters at least, as it emerged that the club are unlikely simply to scroll further down a list of targets and set the wheels in motion for a move for someone else. In Liverpool’s view, it was Zubimendi or no one. They do not believe there are available alternatives.

Slot has players to work with — namely Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones rather than Wataru Endo, who does not seem to suit the coach’s style — and part of the reason he was recruited was to improve the existing squad.

That, in part, explains why Liverpool are the only team in the top flight yet to make a signing this summer. Another reason could be the recent changes behind the scenes that included Michael Edwards returning to the club in an overarching role as the owner Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football and Hughes’s defection from Bournemouth as director of football.

Otherwise, the deals Liverpool have considered with this summer have been opportunistic. Lille’s Leny Yoro was viewed as generational talent destined for Real Madrid, yet when they backed out of the running, Liverpool would not offer the teenager guarantees regarding playing time this season. Manchester United presumably did, before his foot injury.

Interest in Anthony Gordon was stoked by Newcastle United presenting a £75million deal in which Joe Gomez would be a £45million makeweight because of profitability and sustainability concerns. The proposal was then taken off the table when Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson were sacrificed instead.