Konoplyanka And Four More Players Who Snubbed Liverpool In January

Even though Yevhen Konoplyanka's transfer to Liverpool during the latest transfer window was really close to happening, the deal collapsed at the very last minute on deadline day - leaving manager Brendan Rodgers without any reinforcements at all in January.

In fact Konoplyanka deal was not the only player who snubbed Liverpool in January. Rodgers approached a total of five different players during the winter window, but, for various reasons, each of the deals fizzled out.

Here are the five stars Rodgers coveted:

Yevhen Konoplyanka

Liverpool made Dnipro's 24-year-old forward their top target on deadline day and managing director Ian Ayre tavelled to Ukraine to finalise a deal with both player and club on Friday.

Konoplyanka was keen on moving to Anfield and according to Dnipro executive director Andriy Rusol the Ukranian side was also likely to let the player sign for Liverpool - but as they did not receive the money from Liverpool on time, before the transfer window closes, the deal collapsed.

"Money was not the problem, the problem was that Liverpool came too late.Up to the deadline we were waiting for the transfer of money from Liverpool. But this did not happen," Rusol revealed.

Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian winger was Brendan Rodgers' first choice to strengthen his attack even ahead of Konoplyanka and as IBTimes UK revealed the Reds were in pole position to secure his services for some time.

However, as Brendan Rodgers confirmed, financial issues delayed the deal and after Juan Mata move from Chelsea to Manchester United, manager Jose Mourinho decided to hijack Liverpool by securing the services of the talented winger, paying around £15m to Basel.

Seydou Keita

The former Barcelona midfielder was linked with a move to Liverpool last summer and according to Keita himself, Liverpool renewed their attempts to sign him during the January transfer window.

Nevertheless, the deal collapsed again as the 34-year-old decided instead to move to Valencia, even though the Spanish club are currently eighth in La Liga.

"I was in very advanced talks with Liverpool, but Valencia came and I have more chances to play, when all you want is to play and enjoy a high level and I can still play at that level" Keita said.

Apart from a winger, Rodgers had also earmarked Keita as a back-up option to Lucas Leiva – especially considering Stephen Gerrard's and Joe Allen's injuries during the first part of the season.

Chico Flores

Despite having Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho in the squad, Brendan Rodgers was keen to add another consistent centre-back to solve Liverpool's defensive problems - the Merseyside club has conceded 29 goals in just 24 games this season.

Spanish reports named Swansea defender Chico Flores as Liverpool's main target but the Welsh team, who is fighting to avoid relegation, firmly rejected Liverpool's offer, as Chico was considered a pivotal player by then-manager Michael Laudrup.

Javier Manquillo

With Glen Johnson missing six games during the first half of the season due to injuries and Jon Flanagan struggling to convince Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool boss sought reinforcement at right-back in the shape of Atletico Madrid's Javier Manquillo, who is considered one of the most promising defenders in La Liga.

Liverpool launched a £8m bid to secure the services of the Spanish youngster but, when Atletico asked Liverpool to include a buyback clause for the future, the Reds baulked.

Rodgers also tried to secure him on loan until the end of the season but Diego Simeone's side ruled out that possibility.