Liverpool came into this transfer window needing a new winger to act as a backup to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

They got their man last week as Diogo Jota signed from Wolves in a deal that could eventually be worth £45m, but before the Portugal international arrived at Anfield, it looked as though the Reds were going to go in a slightly different direction.

The one name that was consistently linked throughout the summer was Watford’s Ismaila Sarr.

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Signing a player from a relegated side is always a risk, but Liverpool have found great success in doing just that in recent years, with Gini Wijnaldum, Andy Robertson and Xherdan Shaqiri all becoming bona fide first-team options after being brought in on the cheap from a relegated side.

However, Sarr wasn’t going to be available for a cut-price fee, Watford were looking for £40m, and at one point it looked as though Liverpool were ready to pay it.

The problem is that at £40m, you’d want a player who can consistently live up to that price-tag, and Sarr very rarely showed that sort of promise last term.

The 22-year-old scored just five goals and assisted a further four last season, and while it could be argued that his teammates were holding him back, other players have been able to put up better numbers in worse sides.

Harry Wilson had more goals last season for a Bournemouth team that were also relegated, while Gerard Deulofeu had an identical goal contribution record in the same team, and you don’t see him being linked to any £40m moves.

The Reds were almost swindled by Sarr’s hype of being an expensive player last summer, but luckily a better option came up in the window and they jumped at the chance to take it.

Michael Edwards had a massive dilemma when it came to signing a new winger, and luckily he managed to get it absolutely right.