Watch Timo Werner highlights: Analysis of RB Leipzig striker's hat-trick as Premier League sides line up to sign him

The 24-year-old continued his love of scoring goals against Mainz with three more than gave him 30 for the season, and 24 in the Bundesliga that puts him just three behind Robert Lewandowski.

Liverpool remain the odds-on favourites to sign Werner whenever a new transfer window opens, with Chelsea and Manchester United also in the race and even Barcelona a possibility.

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The would-be Premier League champions remain in the driving seat though, and plenty of Liverpool fans will have been licking their lips as Werner's hat-trick performance on Sunday - and with a £52m buy-out clause it may be a case of signing him is just too good a deal to turn down.

Werner hasn't been backward in coming forward with his appreciation of Jurgen Klopp and his team, and even with their now famous front three scoring goals for fun, Werner has shown enough flexibility to fit in and enough quality to even challenge for a place in his own right.

Klopp in 'virtual meeting' with Werner

German football expert Raphael Honingstein told BT Sport that Klopp and Werner had already held a 'virtual meeting' - and whatever they talked about, Werner was like a man on a mission against Mainz - Klopp's former club.

"So far Liverpool have been linked closely and there has been a meeting between him and Jurgen Klopp, at least a virtual one over the last few weeks," Honigstein said.

"I think they're a bit hesitant to pull the trigger because they haven't quite figured out how much of a financial problem the coronavirus will present itself to football, coming over the next month in the Premier League.

"I think he's waiting for things to fall into shape and it could be that the transfer window is much later than usual.

"This kind of deal would have been announced in April/May, this time it could be August or September, but I still think there's a very strong chance he'll end up at Liverpool."

Analysis - Werner's all-round performance

Werner's overall stats for RB Leipzig are too good for anyone to ignore, and his performance against Mainz encapsulated just what a dangerous player he can be. He'd fit in at Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd and it's a surprise Man City aren't having a good look at him with Sergio Aguero getting no younger.

Barcelona have an ageing front line of their own but they're looking at Neymar and still have Coutinho and Dembele on the books, and it's clear Werner's preference is for a Premier League move this summer or stay at Leipzig for one more season before making the switch.

A glance at his heat map against Mainz shows that he did favour the right side of attack somewhat, but was all over the attacking third of the field - spending plenty of time inside the box, where he scores all his goals from, but also coming deeper in that 'false nine' zone in between defence and attack.

He had eight shots, five on target, created two big chances and had two key passes, showing he can provide as well as score as he's much more of an all-around forward than some may think, but he is a goal scorer and his return is excellent.

He also got around the field and won the ball back well, something Klopp insists on in his forwards, with Werner making three recoveries against Mainz. For reference that's just above Mohamed Salah's 2019/20 average of 2.8 per game but still below Roberto Firmino (3.9) and Sadio Mane (4.7) who are among the hardest working forwards you'll see.

And it's that extra bit of hard work and team play that could just see him play his way to that move to Anfield he is chasing. If not, there'll be no shortage of options for the prolific Werner with many more displays like this.

Werner's first - The finisher

The German shows expert timing here, and that ability to stay elusive and tough to pick up. Watch him ghost into a central position coming in off the left, looking for the ball short at first then when it's sent wide immediately he's sensing a goal chance.

Hanging back, Werner doesn't arrive too early in the box, but times his run perfectly for the cut-back, he's been constantly on the move so has been hard to pick up for defenders and midfielders. Taking up that 'between the lines' position that's so hard to deal with.

The finish wasn't as crisp as you'd like but scoring those type of goals is a sign of a true marksman.

Werner's second - Fast break

This ended up being a lovely team goal but it could have been even better had Werner not over hit his in the initial build-up. That's a black mark against him, but he soon makes up for it.

The initial break showed Werner's speed on the counter and showcased just how well he can travel with the ball as break-neck pace - that move alone will have had Jurgen Klopp and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's eyes lighting up.

Watch for the subtle moves he makes in and around the edge of the boz just after though, as the ball is recycled a couple of times. He wants a through ball initially, but when it goes back he lingers in the box, behind the defence, and when it goes down the left he's in prime poaching territory.

As the centre half is drawn in near post, Werner just edges off his shoulder and into clear daylight to poke it hom. A striker's finish if ever you've seen it as just tapping the ball home is the easy part, the movement displayed to get him there is a different story.

Werner's hat-trick - Always alive

This is brilliant all round, as soon as the whistle goes you can see Werner looking around and seeing if the quick one is one. It is - and the ball over the top is a good one and perfectly weighted.

Werner's already got the advantage by going early, and you're not catching a man of his pace - now just to apply the finish.

Even here Werner shows that goal scoring instinct and quick feet to react to the ball that holds up a bit in the turf and forces him to go with his left foot, but he does this expertly despite just a moment when you thought it might be too awkward to control.

Another expert piece of finishing from the German.

Many more performances like this and he'll make it almost impossible for Liverpool to ignore him this summer.

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