Anyone who scores the Premier League's fastest-ever hat-trick is bound to be an attractive talent. And that's exactly what Sadio Mane was to potential suitors when he was making waves at Southampton.
Indeed, Liverpool had tracked the lightning-quick attacker since he caught their eye while representing Senegal at the 2012 Olympics. However, it was not until the winger's impressive surge to prominence at St Mary's that Liverpool's senior scouts really sat up and took notice.
Jurgen Klopp had been the Reds boss for long enough to know what he wanted in the summer transfer window. One of his key priorities was bolstering Liverpool's attack and set out to add more speed to his frontline.
That led to the £34m capture of Sane from Southampton and, although that remains one of the most expensive transfers in the club's history, it may well prove to be a legitimate bargain, should Sane maintain his form and propel the club to a maiden Premier League crown.
14 “ Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mané have created 14 chances between themselves in the PL this season; the most of any duo. Dynamic. pic.twitter.com/qeZzuTsAEP
According to theTimes, Mane was seen by Klopp and Liverpool's scouts as a player who had accrued some excellent experience but still had the scope to improve dramatically, already demonstrating that he was on the desired trajectory in order to establish himself at Anfield. And yes, Mane has not taken long endearing himself to the Kop.
With six goals and two assists already this season, Mane is proving to be an unstoppable force in Liverpool's attacking artillery. Along with Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, Mane has embraced the guidance of Klopp and has helped transform the 24-year-old into a breathtaking force of pace and penetration, working effortlessly in tandem with the aforementioned Brazilian duo.
Klopp's advice to Mane has been constant movement. He wants the Senegalese international to be kinetic, dynamic and unrelenting in his movement, constantly moving to fill space and move defenders in order to free up space for his team-mates.
Like Firmino and Coutinho, Mane does not operate solely in one position. Klopp has trained his attackers to be influential all over the pitch and this dynamic has contributed greatly to a solid supply of goals throughout the team.
One thing's for certain: if Mane -along with Firmino and Coutinho - continues to perform to a similar standard, it will be difficult to look past Liverpool for the title. What's even more sure is that Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge won't be breaking back into the starting line-up any time soon.