Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool that not signing Martin Zubimendi, after the player turned down the opportunity to move, "doesn't look good.'
The Spaniard is determined to stay at his boyhood club, Real Sociedad, after previously rejecting Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Liverpool worked hard to convince the Euro 2024 winner over a potential move, and the club's legend Jamie Carragher admits this proved to be the main obstacle to the transfer.
The Reds were particularly keen on signing the 25-year-old, as the club has been desperate for a defensive midfielder since Fabinho's departure to Al-Ittihad.
Speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, Carragher warned Liverpool that failing to secure Zubimendi's signature could lead to future problems.
Jamie Carragher warns Liverpool will endure some difficulties following the failure to sign Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi
Gary Neville (left) and Carragher (right) believe Real Sociedad put pressure on the Spaniard
The 25-year-old player, who has a release clause of £52m snubbed Liverpool alonside other big clubs such as Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona
Previously, Mail Sport reported that the Reds were prepared to pay the player's release clause of just £52m (€60m).
Jamie Carragher admits the deal collapsed: 'I think it was going quite well until the news that we got in the last twenty-four hours that the signing the manager wanted, almost like his guy, Zubimendi from Real Sociedad has fallen through.
'Reading between the lines in terms of reading journalists reports this morning, who obviously get fed information by the club of course, that he had a buy-out clause for fifty-one million I think, and he said he would come.
'Liverpool then go to do the deal and I think the club put a lot of pressure on him to stay.'
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville agreed: 'He said yes to them, and he's then changed his mind late.'
It is understood that Zubimendi's current boss, Real Sociedad's Imanol Alguacil, played a key role in convincing the 25-year-old to continue competing at Reale Arena.
Liverpool were pushing hard to sign a defensive midfielder and the Spaniard emerged as a top target after the Euro 2024 win and an impressive final.
Carragher, 46, then continued: 'It was a bit complicated, but it wasn't as easy as it sounded for Liverpool. But to be honest it's not a great look for Liverpool.
'They've gone for this sitting midfield player, who is a different type of sitting midfield player to what Jürgen Klopp would have gone for, he went for Fabinho, this guy was obviously more of a footballer, technical player.'
Throughout the previous season, the Reds often used untypical yet adequate choices on the No 6 position, such as Alexis Mac Allister.
The Liverpool legend highlights the midfield line issues his boyhood club has faced during the last three seasons: 'But to not get the first deal done for the new manager, the optics are not great, it doesn't look good at all, and it's a position Liverpool have been looking for, for probably three seasons.
'They tried to buy Tchouameni who went to Real Madrid, they obviously lost Caicedo, Lavia, and now they've lost this player.'
Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil is believed to have played a significant role in convincing the player to stay
Jamie Carragher recalls Liverpool's previous transfer failures for the No. 6 position, such as Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia
Liverpool's sporting director is believed to be angry at Zubimendi's decision after the Spaniard gave his word to join the Premier League side.
As as result of the collapsed deal, the Reds are keen to sign another defensive midfielder in the remaining days of the summer transfer window.