Liverpool reportedly only decided to move for Diogo Jota during the summer transfer window after deeming Watford attacker Ismaila Sarr too expensive at £45m.

Jota joined the Reds from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September, penning a five-year contract at Anfield.

The 23-year-old has made an excellent start to his Liverpool career, scoring seven times in 10 appearances in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Atalanta BC in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Jota has also netted in both of his new team's last two Premier League matches, but according to The Mirror, the Portugal international was not the club's first choice signing in the recent market.

The report claims that Sarr had been identified as a leading target, but the English champions were not prepared to meet the asking price for the attacker and quickly switched their attention to Jota.

The Portuguese cost Jurgen Klopp's side in the region of £41m.