Liverpool may not be in the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer, but they're keeping an eye on one of his team-mates, according to the man himself
Gent's Momodou Lamin Sonko celebrates after scoring during a soccer match between KVC Westerlo and KAA Gent
Sweden prospect Momodou Sonko has said Liverpool are continuing to keep an eye on his progress
(Image: BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
A production line of top talent is being linked with Liverpool this summer. But one lesser-known name supposedly on the radar of Arne Slot's newly crowned Premier League champions is Momodou Sonko.
That's according to the player himself, who is hoping to take the next step in his development after a tough first full season at Gent. And he may look to compatriot and international team-mate Viktor Gyokeres as inspiration in that regard.
Former Coventry striker Gyokeres, who turns 27 on Wednesday, has gone from averaging 20 goals a season in the Championship to being one of Europe's most in-demand players. The Sporting CP star has netted 97 goals in 102 games since joining the Lions in 2023, proving how quickly the trajectory of one's career can change.
Sonko, 20, previously spent a spell on trial with the Reds in 2017, but nothing came of it. And the winger has suggested a future move to Anfield could be on the cards, given Liverpool have supposedly retained their interest in his services.
"The way I look at it is that they were already interested there, and I went there and tried it out a bit," he told Expressen from Sweden's under-21 training camp this week. "I felt I was a little too young to move, but they have continued to keep an eye on me."
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after winning the Portuguese title with Sporting CP
Sonko will look to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres as inspiration
Sonko has recently been called into Sweden's senior squad but is yet to make his first-team debut under Jon Dahl Tomasson. That being said, it's widely believed it's a matter of when and not if Gent's record signing gets the nod. Sonko scored four goals and recorded three assists in 21 starts (40 total appearances) for Gent this season, struggling to build on the promise he showed at Hacken.
When asked just how close he has come to joining the Reds in the past, he replied: "I don't actually know. I was in Hacken and tried not to think too much about sales. Then it happened quite quickly and suddenly I was in Ghent. I don't really have a good idea."
He may not be a Liverpool player, but Sonko went on to heap praise upon the club for their success this season. The Reds came close to winning a historic treble in Slot's first season at the helm, and it's fair to say Sonko is an admirer of the Dutchman's work.
Yes, absolutely incredible. They have been superior in the Premier League," added the youngster. "They looked very strong in the Champions League too before they had a tough match at PSG. It has been an incredibly good season. A very good debut season for the coaches too."
Momodou Sonko of BK Hacken celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-2 during the UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round 2nd leg match between The New Saints and BK Hacken
Sonko (pictured playing for Hacken) was still an unknown in Sweden when he trialled with Liverpool in 2017
Those comments bode well should the player develop and find himself in Liverpool's sights in the future. Sweden has produced a number of exciting attackers in recent years, with Sonko hoping to follow in the footsteps of stars like Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and Anthony Elanga.
Two among that trio are currently playing their football in the Premier League and making a huge impression. And it could become a clean sweep should Gyokeres leave Lisbon behind for English shores this summer.
More than 30 years have passed since Glenn Hysen, the only Swede to have represented Liverpool to date, pulled on the team's colours. But it's possible Sonko could be the asset to end that drought should he kick on in Belgium's Pro League.