Liverpool drop Ismaila Sarr pursuit and keep Gakpo as deadline day ends quietly

Liverpool ended the transfer window without a new winger after opting to keep Cody Gakpo and shelving their pursuit of Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr on deadline day.

The Reds had explored an £85 million deal to sell Gakpo to Manchester City, but talks broke down and the Dutch international will remain at Anfield. With Gakpo staying, manager Andoni Iraola decided against pushing for late reinforcements, ending Liverpool’s interest in Sarr, who was Palace’s top scorer last season.

Liverpool had already attempted to sign Yankuba Minteh before pivoting to Sarr, but Brighton rejected their advances. The club’s primary summer business was the £123 million acquisition of Bradley Barcola, who joins a frontline that now includes Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz — three players who have each cost in excess of £100 million.

Iraola had publicly acknowledged a shortage in wide areas as recently as last week. “As you know we are trying to sign in that position [wingers] and we cannot talk about players that right now are not ours, but it is evident we are trying to improve and fill that position because we don’t have the numbers,” the head coach said. “I hope we can have good news soon but we are still not there.”

Despite those comments, the club ultimately concluded that their existing options were sufficient. Gakpo has featured in both of Liverpool’s opening fixtures this season, scoring against Newcastle and providing an assist in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

Victor Munoz, signed earlier in the summer, netted Liverpool’s equaliser in that Forest draw. Hugo Ekitike — the club’s top scorer last season — remains sidelined through injury, while teenage winger Rio Ngumoha is pushing for greater involvement as the window closes.