Ismaila Sarr (Getty Images)
Ismaila Sarr isn’t a name Liverpool fans would fondly remember. After all, he was the man behind Liverpool’s first defeat of last season as Watford dismantled them 3-0. Sarr scored twice and assisted the other goal in the game.
Liverpool have had a strong interest in Sarr this year and if the report from Express is to be believed, the club are looking to sign the forward in January. While they would have liked to have the player in this transfer window, there have been no significant developments this time around.
Ismailia Sarr is a 22-year-old Senegalese winger who plays for Championship club Watford. He started his youth career at Generation Foot in 2009, in Senegal. After spending 7 years there, he moved to Europe when he was signed by French club FC Metz.
He spent a season at Metz before moving to Stade Rennes in 2017. In two seasons, Sarr played 77 games, scored 18 goals, and made 16 assists (source – Transfermarkt). Last season Watford brought him to English shores and he kept up his good form despite Watford getting relegated.
Despite the young age, Sarr has already made 22 appearances for the Senegal national team, scoring thrice.
It would be fair to say that Liverpool have one of the best attacking trios in Europe, featuring Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah. In the last 3 years, this triumvirate has wreaked havoc in England and Europe as well.
However, this is where the problem starts. One look beyond the starting XI and one would realise that Liverpool’s squad options, especially in the attack, aren’t anything but bang average.
Xherdan Shaqiri hardly gets game time and Divock Origi is a flash-in-the-pan player who can provide the occasional cameo. Takumi Minamino is way too young to be carrying such responsibility and Rhian Brewster is yet to get chances to prove himself.
A player like Ismailia Sarr is exactly what Liverpool need. Capable of playing anywhere across the frontline, he will add a whole different dimension to Liverpool’s already lethal attack.
Ismailia Sarr is one of the hottest prospects in Europe and the Reds would do well to lay out the groundwork for a future transfer. He will have no problem adjusting to the team due to his Premier League experience and the presence of compatriot Sadio Mane. Sarr is one for the future as well as the present.
He is a dangerous, fleet-footed winger who can be deadly in the box. Jurgen Klopp should pounce at the chance to sign this talented young star.