Liverpool failed to sign someone with real talent in the summer.
Sporting director Michael Edwards was trying to bring in someone to complement the existing front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.
That search took some time, and it one stage it appeared as if the Reds wouldn’t be bringing in another forward. Liverpool turned down the chance to buy Timo Werner, but rumours persisted.
We all read that the Reds were cash poor and looking to do clever deals, which is how the one to bring in Thiago came to pass.
But Edwards was still sniffing around the Premier League for someone with top flight experience, potential to grow and who wouldn’t cost an absolute fortune.
A move for Diogo Jota was eventually finalised, but there were plenty of stories linking Watford man Ismaila Sarr with Anfield.
The Hornets’ relegation to the Championship looked like it would be perfect and allow Liverpool to meet their transfer market aims without much friction. However, the London side proved to be tough negotiators and remained firm in their valuation of Sarr.
Liverpool eventually backed down and Sarr has started his first season in the second tier pretty well. With three goals and two assists in eight games, the Senegal international has hit the ground running.
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He’s a pretty good player, so that doesn’t really come as much surprise. Watford manager Vladimir Ivić has started him as a centre-forward and those five goal involvements have come in his last five games. In short, Sarr’s in fantastic form.
It’s the type of form that would lead other teams to cast eyes at the former Metz man, making waves during his second season in England. But it’s come as a surprise that Sarr is doing it with Watford.
The forward’s former manager Nigel Pearson is surprised that Watford managed to keep hold of their star player. Talking to the Ornstein and Chapman Podcast, Pearson said that he rated the Senegal international incredibly highly – but didn’t want to talk him up too much.
"“My own opinion is (he’s) a young man who is very, very talented. There was a part of me that was surprised that he didn’t go in the window.“For Sarr, the Championship might be a really good experience for him, because, at times, there was an awful lot of expectation on his shoulders.“He’s a very talented boy, but I’m always loath to build the expectation too much because he’s had some injury issues as well. He’s certainly a very talented boy.”"
Will he move in the future? If that form continues and Watford don’t go up, it’s a strong possibility.