Jurgen Klopp wanted to land Paris Saint-Germain breakthrough star Presnel Kimpembe, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The centre-back has been impressing as PSG have dominated youth football across Europe for the past two years.
Kimpembe's lack of first-team action in the French capital reportedly saw him wanting a move away, with Liverpool joining Chelsea, Monaco and Saint-Etienne in showing interest.
But with David Luiz since departing, Kimpembe is expected to get the chance to show his credentials this season.
Reds interested in Ranocchia
Liverpool are interested in signing Andrea Ranocchia from Inter Milan in January, according to reports.
Italian outlet Calciomercato, cited by Football Italia , say Jurgen Klopp is a keen admirer of the centre-back and wants him at the heart of his defence.
Ranocchia, 28, has played just twice this season for Inter and is not believed to be in Nerazzurri boss Frank de Boer's long-term plans.
Inter could let him leave on loan in January.
Karius named Liverpool's No.1
Jurgen Klopp has made Loris Karius Liverpool’s new No.1.
Karius was signed from Mainz in a £4.7million deal in the summer, only to break his hand during pre-season.
However, the German shot-stopper is back to fitness and will start between the sticks against Hull at Anfield on Saturday, reports the Liverpool Echo.
It’s a crushing blow for Simon Mignolet , who had hoped to return to the starting line up after sitting out the midweek EFL Cup tie with Derby County.
It is understood that the keepers were informed about Jurgen Klopp’s decision at Melwood on Friday.
Klopp calls on Liverpool to banish 'small club' blues
Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool fans to recreate Anfield's European night magic and help banish his Saturday 'small club’ blues, writes Mirror Football's David Maddock.
The German manager has a spectacular record against the recognised big five since arriving in England, losing just once to his main rivals at the top of the Premier League, in 14 encounters.
Yet with so-called minnows Hull set to visit today, the story is very different against smaller clubs, with Klopp enduring defeats to the likes of Watford, Swansea, Palace and Newcastle.
The trend has continued this season, with Liverpool's only defeat inflicted by promoted Burnley after brilliant wins at Arsenal and Chelsea, and Klopp believes it is a question of changing the mentality at Anfield.
Hull have an incredible record against the Reds, losing just once in their last five, and the manager has urged his fans to recreate famous European nights like the pulsating win over Dortmund last season to try and change the – broken – record.
“Can we create a special atmosphere at 3pm at Anfield on Saturday? I would say yes. Two things are important: The crowd and the team.
“I would like to see everybody with the right attitude, and not be disappointed if we miss a chance after 10 minutes. It is not easier against Hull.
“I spoke about Anfield on Saturday - come on we all know that you play at home at 3pm and it is so different to Thursday night, Dortmund?
“I know the opponent I cannot change but is it only because it is afternoon and not night? I don’t know. Come on lets do something, for all of us.”
Robbie Savage column: Liverpool ARE title contenders
Jurgen Klopp is not just on course to restore Liverpool to Champions League orbit.
I think he is going to mount a serious title challenge at Anfield this season.
Although Manchester City have made a flawless start under Pep Guardiola, don’t forget they won their first five Premier League games 12 months ago – and they couldn’t sustain it.
And although I tipped Manchester United to win the title before a ball was kicked, Klopp has galvanised Liverpool in exactly the way I thought Mourinho’s arrival would give everyone more rocket fuel at Old Trafford.
Klopp is from that rare breed of managers who radiate positive thinking, and his optimism percolates through the whole club.
Players, fans, directors and sponsors all buy into it, and when Liverpool produce a performance like the one at Chelsea last week, it makes that Liver bird on the badge seem 10ft tall.
There will be a lot of ex-Liverpool players looking at the club’s start and thinking: “I wish I played for him.”
Read the rest of Savage's column here.