Norwich chiefs were reportedly left feeling disrespected by Liverpool over their low-ball attempt to sign Jamal Lewis.
Liverpool expressed an interest in Lewis but were only prepared to pay half of Norwich's valuation of the player and submitted a bid worth just £8million - which was immediately rejected.
According to Eastern Daily Press, the Canaries were willing to negotiate a deal and expected to receive an improved bid only for Liverpool to instead announce the signing of Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiacos just days later.
Tsimikas suggested his move was already in full swing by the time his former club crashed out of the Europe League against Wolves - just 24 hours after Liverpool had made contact with Norwich about Lewis.
Norwich had made it clear they would not be selling their top talent on the cheap following their relegation from the Premier League and stuck to their guns despite the player being desperate to join Jurgen Klopp's side.
Lewis reportedly even returned home early from a holiday in hope of sealing his 'dream' move to Anfield.
The same report states that Lewis and his agent were surprised by Liverpool's modest offer for him and subsequent failure to make a second bid.
Norwich share a good relationship with Liverpool with their sporting director Stuart Webber and fellow executive committee member Zoe Ward previously working on Merseyside and so were disappointed by the way things panned out.
Norwich's top brass were mindful of Lewis becoming unsettled from his failed transfer and have already moved to limit any repercussions.
The 22-year-old has developed into a fine player under Daniel Farke and Klopp was keen to bring him to Anfield to provide cover for Andy Robertson.
Tsimikas, however, was signed instead for a fee just shy of £12m after Liverpool beat a number of Premier League rivals to his signature.