In many ways, the move for Ben Davies was the epitome of Liverpool's entire transfer strategy.
It was at the midway point of a season that was threatening to spiral out of control for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds were in a desperate need to sign a centre-back in January 2021.
In-keeping with an approach that often sees them turn their attention to surprise recruitment candidates, Liverpool spoke to Preston about a deal to bring Davies to Anfield at a time when supporters were blue in the face with their demands for a January centre-half.
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A fee that could have reached £1.6m was agreed with the Championship side as Liverpool took full advantage of a contract impasse that had Davies closing in on a move to Celtic at the time.
For a defensive department that was currently without Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, a little-known replacement from the second tier did not exactly put supporters' concerns at ease, even when he was supported by the loan move for Ozan Kabak.
Anfield sources at the time likened the deal to that of the move for Ragnar Klavan nearly five years previous; a dependable deputy who could step into the centre-back void with minimal fuss.
Such was the confidence from Liverpool themselves that an England appearance clause was even inserted into the deal in case the left-sided defender was able to reach his maximum potential under Klopp's tutelage.
Celtic were convinced they had their man at the turn of the year nearly 18 months ago, despite interest from both Bournemouth and Burnley at the time and while overtures from the Championship was something that never really went away for Davies, it is now surely the other side of the Old Firm that will benefit from a frankly surreal period of the 26-year-old's career.
Liverpool have agreed a £3m deal with Rangers and could be in line to earn a further £1m if Davies is a success at Ibrox. A loan move at Sheffield United last season saw the Reds earn the £500,000 back that they paid Preston last year, and if he unlocks those add-ons north of the border, it means the Reds will have earned nine times what they paid for him.
For a player who famously never kicked a ball under Klopp, that, in the most naked terms of business, must represent another transfer hit for the club's vaunted recruitment department.
But from a football point of view, Davies may justifiably feel as though his time on Merseyside was one of short-lived stagnation before he eventually made his move towards the top end of the Scottish game.
It was unlikely one he could have ever realistically turned down given the profile of Liverpool and it would be churlish to be overly critical of anyone involved, even with the benefit of hindsight.
For Liverpool, it's a transfer that works out; they earn a very good fee for a player who was never going to feature and can wish the player himself all the best.
For Davies, his big move to Scotland is on the cusp of finally becoming a reality, even if it is perhaps not the destination he will have envisioned at the start of 2021 when Neil Lennon's Celtic made their move.
But while the finances involved show the impending sale to bear all the hallmarks of modern Liverpool as far as recruitment and sales go, this was one transfer that very much bucked the trend on the pitch.
While most incomings on Klopp's watch have gone on to become a roaring success in recent years, Davies' inactivity means this was a low-risk gamble that has failed to pay off.
Sadly for Davies, his dream move didn't pan out and while it would overegging it to suggest it became a nightmare, there is little doubt that a clean break is needed for all.
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