Liverpool has plenty of work to do in the transfer market, but it might not have to face a familiar thorn in its side this season because there is interest from Galatasaray
Ismaila Sarr in action for Crystal Palace against Liverpool
Ismaila Sarr in action for Crystal Palace against Liverpool(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr, who was once on Liverpool's shortlist as a potential transfer option, could depart the Premier League for Galatasaray before the September 1 deadline.
Sarr has scored seven goals in 10 games against Liverpool throughout his career, starring for Watford before he moved to South London. The Senegal forward also has a couple of assists for his teammates in those matches.
In the games in which Sarr has scored against Liverpool, the Reds have never won, losing four and drawing one, including three victories last season in all competitions. Only against Aston Villa does he have a better record for goals and assists.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Galatasaray has submitted an offer for Sarr. The decision will now be made by the Selhurst Park outfit as to whether or not to allow him to depart.
Last October, Sarr tore an inexperienced Liverpool team apart in the League Cup, with Amara Nallo getting sent off and the African netting twice in a 3-0 win at Anfield.
"I saw some of the struggles that the players have had in pre-season and players that came from different leagues," Arne Slot said post-match.
Ismaila Sarr and Milos Kerkez compete for possession during Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
Ismaila Sarr and Milos Kerkez compete for possession during Crystal Palace vs Liverpool(Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
"It is a new challenge for them to play at Premier League and Champions League level, three games in seven days.
"I think at this moment in time we have only 15 or 16 players available. I am talking about players from our squad that are available.
"To add to that, this club has always used this competition for their academy players as well. So for the non-starters and the academy players, this felt to me like the right decision.
"I haven’t changed my opinion on that after the result either, because with our starters we have not been able to win a lot from Palace either.
Content Image
Content Image
"If I look at our performance against Brentford, two days after we played Frankfurt away, I saw there a team that maybe struggled with playing three games in seven days.
"Again, [it is] not an excuse to lose that game of football, but it is not a complete surprise to me."
That defeat was a sixth in seven games at the time, with the poor run starting with another loss at Selhurst Park to Crystal Palace, when Sarr also scored.