Liverpool transfer target Duje Caleta Car reportedly had a jet on standby to fly to the UK before the plug was pulled at the last minute.
The Reds reportedly identified Caleta Car as the perfect short-term and long-term solution to the club's defensive problems, and struck a deal with Marseille.
The 24-year-old had a plane on standby to fly to England to complete the transfer and was waiting for the Ligue 1 club to give the green light.
But Marseille wanted to secure a replacement for the Croatian defender before letting him leave, and were unable to do so.
This resulted in the French club pulling the plug on the deal and leaving Liverpool back at square one, in search of a suitable centre-back ahead of deadline day.
While Liverpool were in action against West Ham on Sunday, club transfer chiefs were working hard behind to scenes to complete a deal.
And they managed exactly that, with Preston defender Ben Davies agreeing terms on a £2million deadline day switch.
Davies, 24, who came through the ranks at Deepdale, has made more than 200 appearances for the Championship club and is set to have a medical on Monday morning.
Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg will head in the opposite direction on loan for the remainder of the season.
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