Liverpool have reignited their interest in Watford winger Ismaila Sarr, with Jürgen Klopp looking to bolster his attack before the end of the transfer window.
According to TMW via the Express, the Merseyside outfit are preparing a £40 million bid to test Watford’s resolve. The report also states that Sarr has requested the Hornets to let him leave in the summer in order to further his career.
Liverpool were pushing to sign the Senegal international last summer, but eventually moved to sign Diogo Jota from Wolves.
Sarr has been one of Watford’s standout players since arriving from Stade Rennais for a club-record fee in 2019. The 23-year-old impressed during his maiden season in the Premier League in 2019-20, scoring five goals and providing six assists.
His performance against Liverpool, in particular, may have caught the eye of Jürgen Klopp. The Senegalese netted twice in a 3-0 win, handing Liverpool their first defeat of the season and ending their 44-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. Despite his stellar displays, he was unable to help Watford stave off relegation though.
The 23-year-old, who has three years left on his current contract, has also attracted interest from Manchester United in the past.
Ismaila Sarr – What will he add to Liverpool?
Liverpool have completed only one signing thus far, bringing in defender Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig. If they are to challenge the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea for the Premier League title this season, they will need to strengthen their attack.
If the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi depart, Liverpool will be light on attacking options.
🚨 NEW: It has been made clear that Liverpool would only dip into the transfer market if Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri departed Anfield. #awlive [liverpool echo]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) August 8, 2021
While Mohamed Salah has continued to score goals consistently, the Egyptian is not getting any younger and might have to be replaced over the next couple of seasons. Sadio Mane, meanwhile, has blown hot and cold. Diogo Jota has impressed since his move from Wolves, but beyond that, Liverpool have very few options to call upon.
That being said, a move for Sarr makes perfect sense. The 23-year-old can serve as a useful backup to Salah initially with a view to replacing the Egyptian in the long run.
Sarr lit up the Championship with his speed and dribbling abilities last season, scoring 13 goals and providing 10 assists to help Watford gain promotion.
The Senegalese is a prodigiously talented winger whose primary attributes are his speed, strength and energy. Sarr likes to take on defenders and beat them with his devastating turn of pace and dribbling skills. He also links up well with his teammates, exchanging passes before making darting runs behind the opposition defence.
Last season in the Championship, he averaged 1.9 dribbles, 1.1 key passes and 2.2 shots on goal per game. Sarr is primarily deployed on the right flank, but he is also capable of playing through the middle or as a No. 10.
He could thrive at Liverpool, who rely heavily on the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk to play accurate long balls over opposition defences. Sarr’s arrival will also reduce Liverpool’s reliance on Roberto Firmino, Salah and Mane for goals.
Considering the fact that Sarr is just 23, he can only get better under a coach like Klopp. £40 million might be on the higher side for the Senegalese, but if Sarr lives up to his potential, he will repay that fee in a couple of seasons.
Stats via Whoscored
