Liverpool Transfer News: Failure to Land Diego Costa Is Letdown for Reds

Brendan Rodgers has done a nice job of rebuilding the Liverpool roster over the past couple of seasons.

While the Reds are now better set up for the future, it's a process that has an occasional setback. Failing to land Diego Costa is the latest example.

The 24-year-old striker is coming off a productive season with Atletico Madrid and should be about to enter the prime of his career. Not only would he have provided the club with more attacking depth, he would have also helped protect Liverpool as the Luis Suarez transfer saga drags on.

Instead, it appears he's prepared to stay with the Colchoneros. Hannah Duncan of the Metro reports Rodgers admitted his chances of signing the Brazilian international faded after Costa pledged his future to his current club. No other deals are imminent, either.

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But after the rumours were rubbished by Atletico, Costa himself insisted he was happy at the Vicente Calderon and was not interested in a move.

"I believe Costa has signed an extension. There's nothing in terms of players to add," Rodgers said.

"We've signed players early on and we hope to sign some more before the end of the window. In the meantime, there's nothing at the minute."

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Plenty of players make their way onto the transfer radar during the course of the summer. The numerous possibilities is what gives the offseason window its allure, even though supporters know a vast majority of the speculated deals won't actually occur.

That said, Costa seemed like a terrific target for Liverpool.

He would fit the mold of Rodgers' additions during his time at Anfield. They are mostly players on the rise, still in the process of reaching peak value and form, giving the club a chance to grow as a unit in the coming years. A sound plan of attack.

Costa also could have filled a position of need. Although Liverpool have Iago Aspas, Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini, the Brazilian international would have given the club enough reinforcements to withstand any proverbial storm that might arise from the Suarez mess.

The endgame in the Suarez situation remains unclear. But as things stand right now, Liverpool would struggle to replace him with another transfer late in the window. So it likely would be up to the players already on the roster and that would be a tall task.

Costa would have at least brought some added firepower to the attack. Unfortunately for the Reds, that ship has seemingly sailed. Now, Rodgers will have to explore other options if he wants to sign another player to bolster the attack.

Rodgers' remarks don't make it sound like another deal is on the immediate horizon, either, as Liverpool prepare to open the Premier League season next weekend against Stoke City. So the club should be prepared to move forward with its current roster.

It's a squad that would have been more dangerous with Costa in the mix.