Liverpool chiefs overruled manager Jurgen Klopp over last year's swoop for AS Roma striker Mohamed Salah.
The Liverpool Echo says Klopp wanted to sign Bayer Leverkusen hotshot Julian Brandt instead - only for the board to have other ideas.
Brandt was a bright light for Germany amid their difficult World Cup campaign this summer, where they were dumped out of the competition in the group stages.
However, he ended up sticking with Leverkusen instead.
Egypt international Salah, meanwhile, struck 44 goals across all competitions last season and is now shortlisted for FIFA's The Best award.