Liverpool are reportedly set to miss out on another top target in Yevhen Konoplyanka, with the Ukraine international said to be in talks with Tottenham.

If the winger makes the move to north London, it will represent another huge miss for Liverpool after failing to seal deals for Willian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, among others. Konoplyanka is said to favour a move to London because he would prefer to live in the capital than Liverpool.

It’s certainly a disappointment, but not one that should send alarm bells ringing at Anfield; at least not for that particular reason.

What is a concern is why the club have been unable to wrap up transfers for high-profile targets across the continent. Brendan Rodgers will likely be in talks for a new contract come the end of the season, but the Liverpool manager should be asking why players keep slipping the net. Konoplyanka may have a legitimate reason for snubbing Liverpool, but he doesn’t explain a long list of failed opportunities in recent transfer windows.

Ironically, the club have missed out on two known targets to Chelsea, but Willian and Mohamed Salah have yet to point to location as their reason for opting for London. The problem may be financial, or at least one that hindered Liverpool in the past. With the club almost certain to play Champions League football next season, there should be a sharp upturn in revenue.

Even with Konoplyanka’s preference to live in London, which has been relayed by Dnipro’s president, it shouldn’t be a worry for Liverpool. They’ve managed to sign two youngsters in Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho, who are proving to be invaluable, while Champions League football was much further off in the distance than at present. Even more so, Luis Suarez was signed from Ajax while Liverpool were without top European competition.

Konoplyanka, provided his move to Tottenham goes through, will stand as an isolated miss. But adding to the bigger picture, Liverpool will have to address their transfer negotiators following yet another disappointment in the market.

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