Former Liverpool target Sardar Azmoun once claimed he turned down the chance of a move to Anfield because he didn’t want to spend his time on the bench.
Bayer Leverkusen attacker Azmoun – dubbed ‘the Iranian Messi’ – was one of several players the Reds were considering way back in January 2017 as they looked to bolster their attacking options given Sadio Mane’s participation at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liverpool ultimately made no new signings during the window, a decision questioned in the wake of a run of results that saw them eliminated from the FA Cup and League Cup and out of Premier League title contention.
