Liverpool's transfer committee reportedly blocked former manager Brendan Rodgers from going ahead with a move for Swansea City defender Ashley Williams last summer.
The Northern Irishman, who was sacked by the Reds on Sunday, is said to have targeted Williams and Southampton full-back Ryan Bertrand.
According to the Daily Mail, Rodgers was part of the transfer committee at Anfield, but there were rules in place, one of which stated that no players over the age of 24 should be signed, meaning that a bid for Williams was not sanctioned.
It has been reported that Rodgers felt undermined by some of the limits set by the committee and due to their failure to back the Williams bid, the coach was left with defenders who he reportedly did not particularly want.
Meanwhile, the club are believed to be on the verge of appointing former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp.