Garth Crooks has likened Ismaila Sarr with Sadio Mane in his Team of the Week column for BBC Sport, while praising the Watford ace Liverpool and Tottenham wanted this summer.
Sarr was one of the stars of the show as the Hornets beat Norwich City 3-1 at Carrow Road on Saturday. The Senegal forward scored his side’s second and third goals to restore their advantage in Norfolk, after Teemu Pukki cancelled out Emmanuel Bonaventure’s opener.
Sarr turned in a Man of the Match level display to inspire Xisco Munoz’s side to victory. He scored with a close-range finish just after the hour mark, before tapping in a rebound in the 83rd-minute. Turning on the style after a mostly quiet first-half against Brandon Williams.
Watford have taken six points from their opening five games with Sarr scoring three goals, after also netting in the Hornet’s opening-day win against Aston Villa. He has now found the back of the net eight times in 33 Premier League appearances since debuting in 2019.
The 34-cap international’s performance against Norwich thrilled Crooks, who likened Sarr with his Senegal attacking partner, Mane. Liverpool were, in fact, one of the sides who explored signing Sarr this summer, per 90min, while Eurosport named Tottenham.
“The movement and anticipation for both his goals was quite outstanding,” Crooks wrote. “At 23, Sarr has a lot to offer and has a similar game to his Senegal teammate Sadio Mane.”
Liverpool and Tottenham to rue not signing Watford star Sarr?
Liverpool allegedly explored a deal for Watford star Sarr as Jurgen Klopp looked to refresh his frontline over the summer. The German is a long-term admirer of the Hornet’s attacker and sought to revive his interest after a 2020 pursuit. Failing with a loan-to-buy approach after the Vicarage Road outfit’s relegation from the Premier League into the Championship.
Tottenham also explored Sarr’s situation over the summer, but Watford supposedly set an asking price of in excess of £50m. The Hornets were loath to lose a key player upon their return to the top-flight as second-tier runners-up. He scored 13 goals, assisted 10 last term.
Sarr may make Liverpool and Tottenham rue not paying Watford’s valuation by delivering further Mane-esque displays, like what Crooks praised. He has started the season strongly to draw comparisons with the Reds’ £100k-a-week forward. While Mane has also scored three times in five appearances, but without a clear-cut match-winning performance yet.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
