Liverpool's preparations for Monday's trip to Manchester City have been over-shadowed by off-field matters as Hong Kong businessman Kenny Huang pulled out of negotiations to buy the club and midfielder Alberto Aquilani headed back to Italy.
Huang last night walked away from talks with American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett without giving a reason.
And while manager Roy Hodgson was boosted by assurances from Inter Milan that they would not attempt to snatch key player Javier Mascherano away, Barcelona remain interested in buying him.
Should the Argentinian move to the Nou Camp, Hodgson could find himself short in midfield with Aquilani agreeing a loan switch to Juventus.
Aquilani will join The Old Lady for a year subject to a medical - to be held on Monday - in a bid to gain regular first-team football.
The Italian joined Liverpool from Roma a year ago to replace Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso but persistent injury problems limited his impact under previous boss Rafael Benitez, who has since been replaced by Hodgson.
Former Inter boss Hodgson has seemingly warded off advances from his old team - now managed by Benitez - for Mascherano as well as forward Dirk Kuyt.
"I spoke to Massimo Moratti on Wednesday about the fact that they are not going to buy any Liverpool players, and (Dirk) Kuyt comes into that category," Hodgson told the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv.
"I believe Inter were only interested in two of our players and they are not going to buy them. (Inter president Massimo) Moratti said they are not going to do that. Kuyt is not for sale."
Huang's decision leaves Liverpool in limbo as he was one of the few interested parties to declare a firm interest, along with a consortium fronted by Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi.
Huang said: "Over the past few months we learned first-hand that Liverpool has a very special place in the hearts of millions of fans around the world.
"We concluded that a plan that properly capitalises the business and provides funds for a new stadium and player-related costs would allow Liverpool FC to provide its great fans with the success they deserve.
"Our strategy and unique ability to expand the fanbase in Asia would also have been of benefit to all.
"We regret that we will not have the opportunity to implement this strategy.
"We thank the many Liverpool fans who expressed support for our efforts and wish the club great success in the years to come. I am now considering my future options and will be making no further comment at this time."
As for the footballing side, Hodgson will be without new playmaker Joe Cole at Eastlands. The Reds boss accepts the Londoner has made a terrible start to his Liverpool career but is not reading much into his early tribulations.
Cole made a bright initial impression against Rabotnicki in a Europa League qualifier but that was quickly forgotten as he was sent off on his first Barclays Premier League appearance for the Reds against Arsenal.
That incurred a three-match domestic ban but, free to play on in Europe, he compounded his misery by missing a penalty against Trabzonspor on Thursday.
The Liverpool manager said: "The biggest blow is for him. He was so desperate to start his career here well and he hasn't done so.
"In his first game he managed to get himself sent off - albeit somewhat harshly - and in his second he missed a penalty.
"It has been a bad week for him and now it is going to be even worse because after the game in Turkey he will have to sit on his backside for two or three weeks because of the international break.
"It couldn't be a worse start for Joe Cole in his Liverpool career but starts are starts and finishes are finishes.
"We will judge Joe Cole on what he has done for Liverpool sometime in the middle of May when the final ball this season has been kicked."