Liverpool lined up for the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace, boasting a new star-studded side.
Despite the penalty shootout loss, Arne Slot saw an immediate return on the Reds’ investment after summer signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz dazzled at Wembley.
The Frenchman opened his Liverpool account only four minutes into the Community Shield clash after a superb piece of link-up play with Wirtz.
Furthermore, Jeremie Frimpong added the second goal on the day to restore the Reds’ lead five minutes after Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised from the penalty spot – the Dutchman’s strike left Ally McCoist in awe.
Mohamed Salah, Jeremie Frimpong and Curtis Jones celebrate a goal duing Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
However, there was one player in the Crystal Palace starting line-up who thoroughly enjoys facing the Premier League champions, and lo and behold, Ismaila Sarr would score the decisive goal to haunt Liverpool once again.
Ismaila Sarr could have signed for Liverpool in 2020
According to This Is Anfield, the Reds were quoted £40 million when they enquired about the Senegalese international after an impressive season at Watford.
Sarr was a standout star for the Hornets as they suffered relegation to the second tier, but the fee was ultimately deemed too expensive for a player then in the Championship.
Liverpool have a history of raiding recently relegated sides, a strategy that proved more than fruitful, considering the careers Andy Robertson and Georginio Wijnaldum would go on to carve out at Anfield.
Sarr also attracted Tottenham’s interest at Vicarage Road and had looked destined to reach the pinnacle of football, but with an underwhelming return of 34 goals in 131 appearances across a four-year spell at Watford, he was moved on to Marseille.
Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace scores their second goal during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium.
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Many Liverpool supporters will remember Sarr as he starred in Watford’s 3-0 win against the Reds in the 2019/20 campaign, ending Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of an undefeated season.
And upon returning to England with Crystal Palace, it is clear that Sarr has not lost his goalscoring touch when facing the Reds.
How many times has Ismaila Sarr haunted Liverpool?
The 27-year-old scored twice and assisted Troy Deeney during that infamous match at Vicarage Road, ending the Reds’ 18-match consecutive winning streak and 44-match unbeaten run.
Although the result ultimately mattered little in the end, as Klopp returned the Premier League title to Anfield after a 30-year wait, that match was also the last played in front of supporters before the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also did his best to dampen the title celebrations at Anfield last season after he opened the scoring in the 9th minute during the final day clash.
Ismaila Sarr vs Liverpool Appearances Goals Assists
Crystal Palace 3 2 1
Watford 4 2 1
Statistics provided by Transfermarkt.
With four goals and two assists in seven outings against Liverpool, Sarr has become infamous among the Anfield faithful.
The Reds will next face Palace when they travel to Selhurst Park on 27 September, and Slot better get to work on a plan to neutralise Sarr’s influence.