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Brendan Rodgers insists managing director Ian Ayre did ‘everything possible’ to complete the transfer of Yehven Konoplyanka as Liverpool hit back at criticism from Dnipro.

The Reds missed out on the 24-year-old winger after the proposed deal collapsed on deadline day.

Ayre believed Konoplyanka would be heading to Merseyside after Liverpool triggered the 15million euros (£12.3million) buyout clause in his contract.

The Ukraine international passed a medical and agreed personal terms but Anfield officials say the transfer didn’t happen because Dnipro’s multi-billionaire owner Ihor Kolomoyskyi simply refused to sign the relevant paperwork.

Dnipro have challenged that version of events with their executive director Andriy Rusol claiming Liverpool failed to transfer the necessary funds on time.

However, the Reds deny that was the case and the ECHO has seen paperwork which confirms the full fee of 15million euros was transferred more than two hours before Friday’s 11pm deadline.

“The club did everything possible to get the player in,” Rodgers said after the Reds’ 1-1 draw at West Brom.

In pictures: Yevhen Konoplyanka

“We had our chief scout, managing director and doctor out there to conclude the deal – and from our point categorically Ian Ayre did a brilliant job trying to negotiate.

“I’ve heard the problem mentioned was about the money but that was not a problem. It just wasn’t to be.

“I feel really sorry for the player because he was obviously desperate to come but it’s gone now and we will review it in the summer.”

Rodgers denied he was angered by the club’s failure to make any signings during the January window.

Prior to their pursuit of Konoplyanka, Liverpool had missed out on attacker Mohamed Salah, who went to Chelsea after they offered Basel a higher fee.

“Whatever frustrations I have I would never let you know,” Rodgers added.

“This is a club I want to keep together for the longer term and will never be broken by stuff written in the papers.

“If I have an issue or a problem I don’t need to ring up journalists and give them snippets out there, if I have an issue I’ll speak with the owner.

“I said it would’ve been nice to have got some reinforcements in but that wasn’t to be the case and so yesterday has no consequence now.

“I’ve got to work with the players I have here. We have 14 games to go, we are still in a great position and the squad is very focused on our objectives so I can’t afford to think about what we could or couldn’t have done.”

Rodgers refused to rule out making another attempt to sign Konoplyanka in the summer but the ECHO understands that is highly unlikely following the events of last week.

“There is obviously going to be a greater market to look at then but it wouldn’t stop us,” he said.

“It is of no consequence now. I don’t focus on that. There is no point in me looking back.”

Dnipro executive director Rusol said: “The British did not have time to complete the transaction.

“Our club could not sign the documents until our account received the money.

“It is not our fault, Liverpool representatives could have arrived a day or two earlier."

More on LFC today:

"Kolo Toure walked away from The Hawthorns with the consoling arm of Liverpool’s captain around his shoulder" - click here for the rest of James Pearce's match report from the 1-1 draw.

And there is more on Toure - the defender said his bad decision was because he didn't see Victor Anichebe and Rodgers said Toure was “devastated” after West Brom mistake.

In pictures: West Brom 1 LFC 1