Liverpool's former head of data Dr Ian Graham has revealed the transfer target he regrets not signing the most in his decade at the club.
The Reds' numbers guru, who worked with the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp in shaping the side's recruitment strategy, oversaw some of Anfield's most valuable signings.
Philippe Coutinho, Andy Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk and countless more were recommended by Graham and subsequently went on to become Liverpool legends.
His expertise complemented perfectly with Klopp's eye for good footballers and clear philosophy and helped the Reds along to Premier League and Champions League glory.
But even the most forward-thinking of stats masters has regrets, it seems, and Graham has revealed his biggest in an interview with The Athletic.
Liverpool 's former head of data Dr Ian Graham has revealed the transfer target he regrets not signing the most (credit: Liverpool FC)
The former head of data at Anfield said he rues the fact that Liverpool did not seal the signing of Diego Costa in August 2013, who would go on to play for rivals Chelsea.
After some lengthy discussions, Rodgers' side eventually triggered the striker's €25million release clause only for the Spaniard to sign a new contract at Atletico Madrid.
Costa later joined Chelsea in 2014 and Graham steal dreams of what it would be like to have the abrasive duo playing up top together.
'It would have been filthy! As it was, Costa ended up joining Chelsea the following year.'
The self-confessed data 'nerd' also revealed his somewhat troubled relationship with Reds boss Rodgers, who guided the team to a second-placed finish in 2013-14 before making way for Klopp in 2015.
'In the first few years of the transfer committee, those failed signings, most of them were because the players we wanted to bring in Brendan vetoed.'
Graham added that his team also vetoed the players the Northern Irish manager liked, leading to a deadlock which often saw the club resort to signing their lesser targets.
He also recalled a transfer disagreement which saw Rodgers, who the former data boss says 'wasn't open' to statistics, pushing for the signing of Tom Ince while the recruitment team fancied Coutinho.
In the end, the Brazilian joined and became a hit at Anfield.
The ultra-competitive Costa scored 59 goals in 120 games at Chelsea while a like-minded Suarez bagged 82 in 133 for the Reds.