Malian midfielder now destined to join Liverpool, Andoni Iraola will love him

An exciting Malian midfielder is destined to join Liverpool.

When you think of Mali and the Reds, you remember Djimi Traore. He might not have been one of the best players to have ever played for the club, but his contributions in Istanbul in 2005 on that fated May evening will be remembered forever.

Traore's blocks and the way he gave it his all to help inspire the greatest comeback in the history of the sport are indelible. They live on through the stories and moving images that have been recounted time and time again about that night.

Then there is also Mohamed Sissoko.

Another Malian. This time a midfielder who was so good when he first arrived. At his best, he looked like he was going to be on par with the likes of Michael Essien.

But injuries hampered Sissoko's time at Anfield.

Liverpool need a midfielder this winter

The Reds could so desperately do with someone of Sissoko's profile in this winter market. What the Malian was known for was his brilliance defensively and his composure on the ball.

Right now, Andoni Iraola's squad is lacking a lot of players capable of instilling that composure on the ball.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch are both erratic midfielders. Alexis Mac Allister has stepped into their shoes and has done really well.

Trey Nyoni as a mere teenager, has right now also become pretty much the first name on the teamsheet when it comes to the midfield.

Iraola clearly needs more in that department. He needs players who are capable of playing like Nyoni and progressing the ball from deep.

Meet Liverpool's next Malian - Ismael Kamissoko

Liverpool clearly have quite a positive history when it comes to their Malian players and there's another who looks set to join them.

Ismael Kamissoko has recently featured in The Guardian's top 60 wonderkids to watch. He is someone who Liverpool are keeping a close eye on as the captain of Mali's U17 national team.

A midfielder who is very technical and has great vision, he plays like Nyoni.

He also seems destined to join the Reds. Recently, Kamissoko has posed wearing a Liverpool shirt on several occasions. This is one image of him here, and another here.

Now it has been announced that he is also nominated for the CAF African Young Footballer of the Year award. He is the youngest player to be nominated.

And he has earned the nomination alongside Yan Diomande, Ayoubb Bouaddi and Ibrahim Mbaye.

It's a huge recognition and a sign of his talent. He is clearly destined for Anfield. It's now up to Julian Ward to make it happen.