Who is Mousa Tamari? The 'Jordanian Messi' Liverpool are tracking
Liverpool are tracking Montpellier forward Mousa Tamari, Anfield Watch understands.
The in-form winger has been on the Reds' radar for some time, pre-dating his move to France this summer, where his goals and dribbling ability have reached a wider audience.
There are obvious comparisons with a certain Liverpool number 11 due to his position, pace and the part of the world he hails from, but don't expect Tamari to be a Mohamed Salah successor if a move does happen down the line.
READ MORE: Liverpool watching Montpellier star Mousa Tamari
Instead the 26-year-old Jordan international is seen as a player who could come in and complement Salah in Liverpool's attack.
Tamari's recent displays have been making headlines over in France but he remains little-known to Premier League audiences.
Just who is he and why are Liverpool interested? Here are five things to know about Tamari.
Top dribbler in Belgium
Prior to his move to Montpellier on a free transfer for the 2023/24 season, Tamari spent three seasons at OH Leuven in Belgium.
According to Opta, no player attempted more dribbles (384) or completed more dribbles (174) during his time in the Jupiler Pro League.
History maker
Tamari made history at the start of the summer when he agreed his move to Montpellier at the end of his contract in Belgium.
In doing so, he became the first Jordanian to play in any of the 'big five' leagues in Europe.
One week after his debut, he scored twice in a 4-1 win over Lyon to become the first Jordanian to score in any of the 'big five', while his performance saw him named in Montpellier's Player of the Month for August.
The 'Jordanian Messi'
But don't say it to his face...
As a left-footed, right winger with pace and strong dribbling skills, Amman-born Tamari has long been dubbed his country's version of the Argentine superstar.
However, rather than a compliment, Tamari is not too keen on the moniker that he picked up while playing for APOEL in Cyprus.
"I know some people call me that, but I don't like that nickname," Tamari he has said, as quoted by Marca. "In Cyprus the fans are a bit crazy and they came up with that nickname.
"They even made up a song in which they talked about me as the 'Jordanian Messi'."
That chant, to the tune of La Bamba, goes:
We've got an Al Tamari
He's so much better than Harry and Dele Alli
The Jordanian Messi!
Liverpool's interest in not new
Anfield Watch understands that the Reds have been monitoring Tamari for some time.
Meanwhile, a Bleacher Report profile back in 2020 claimed that both Liverpool and Manchester City had Tamari 'on the radar'.
Before moving to France this summer, a host of clubs were reportedly interested in the former Cypriot First Division MVP, including Fenerbahce, Blackburn and Egyptian giants Al Ahly. However, the forward always had his eyes on one of Europe's big leagues.
"Ever since I was a kid I wanted to play in one of the big five leagues, but my mother wanted me to concentrate on my studies," he said. "It's not that she didn't believe in me, but she told me it would be difficult to fulfil my dream in Jordan.
"I know that in my country they are proud of me, but to be the first Jordanian to play in France is not the goal.... I want more."
Impressive numbers
Tamari's strong start to 2023/24 has won him plenty of admirers in France and beyond.
After scoring three times in his first three Ligue 1 outings, he struck another double as Montpellier were leading Clermont 4-2 at home – only for the match to be abandoned in stoppage time after a projectile was thrown at the visiting keeper.
Including those two strikes, Tamari has five goals from an xG of 1.4 and is averaging over three shots per 90, hitting the target 53% of the time.
He also attempts over six dribbles per 90.
"He's a really good lad, a hard worker, and he's settled quickly," Montpellier boss Michel Der Zakarian said of his new signing. "He's quick with the ball and without the ball, he dribbles well, passes well… and he scores goals!"
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