Richard Hughes and Liverpool have just embarrassed themselves

Liverpool have simply embarrassed themselves in this transfer window. It'll take a lot to turn it around from here.

Liverpool have had an awful start to the summer transfer window. They failed to complete a new deal with Ibrahima Konate, while it’s completely unclear who will replace the outgoing Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah.

Victor Munoz has signed from Osasuna - but that isn’t expected to be a signing for the starting XI. Instead, the Reds had banked on Yan Diomande being the star arrival.

And here’s the incredible thing: they made this public. Liverpool don’t typically do that, with the Florian Wirtz signing last summer a fine example.

No one knew the Reds were even really involved in the race until things were virtually sorted. Contrast that to the Diomande pursuit.

Liverpool made it known that they were ‘stepping up’ their pursuit in the Ivorian (the Athletic). That they prioritised a winger with Diomande ‘high on their list’ (The Times).

It’s dragged on for over a month now, only for the player to turn around and say he’d rather join Paris Saint-Germain. Now the Reds stand essentially zero chance of getting the player and need to move on to other targets.

Targets who now all know full well that they’re simply a consolation prize. It’s been a genuinely shocking transfer saga for Liverpool, one where they’ve been embarrassed by Diomande and PSG.

So we won’t be surprised if we don’t hear much about Liverpool’s top targets for the rest of the window. Maybe that’s for the best. Going all-in on a player like this only to fail is an awful look, and one they should now seek to avoid.

Get those cards back close to the chest. That’s the Liverpool way.