So close, yet so far away.
INTER MILAN failed with a deadline day move for Liverpool midfielder Lucas.
Former Anfield boss Rafa Benitez made an audacious move to take the Brazilian on loan, but his offer was refused by Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson has seen more faces leave than arrive at Anfield since his appointment with Liverpool recording a net profit on their summer deals.
As well as the sale of Javier Mascherano, Hodgson has sought to clear the decks of low quality squad players.
But he knows he's at least one major player short of being where he needed to be in his fight to reclaim a top-four spot.
There may be further reshaping of the squad when the transfer window re-opens with several deals being revisited.