Liverpool weren’t the only ones to get back to winning ways on Saturday as Reds loanee Mamadou Sakho helped Crystal Palace move themselves just out of reach of the drop zone with a convincing win over West Bromwich Albion. The defender looked to be back in full stride after nearly a year out of first team action, putting in a commanding display in the heart of the Eagles defence. Though the Frenchman could yet play a crucial part in keeping the Croydon club in the Premier League, whether or not it’ll be enough to earn him a reprieve from his Anfield exile remains to be seen.
“That is nothing we have to decide in this moment. So that is it,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp when asked about Sakho’s future. “He made his first appearance after a really long time [on February 25], and so all we have to do is to be focused on the season and this squad here,” continued the German, remaining tight lipped on the subject. “I will not talk to you about potential transfers we make, so it makes no sense to talk about players we gave on loan,” added the Reds boss. “We will see.”
Winning their two matches in succession for the first time since September, Palace upset the Baggies to add a major boost to their chances of staying in the top-flight. While Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend got all the headlines with two very well taken goals guaranteeing the visitors all three-points, one can’t over look Sakho’s contribution at the back — and Eagles boss Sam Allardyce made sure the Frenchman knew he’s appreciated.
“The lift he has given us defensively in the two games he has played has been exceptionally good,” said the former England manager. “You are slightly concerned when you take a player who has been frozen out in the January window,” explained Allardyce, hinting that taking the defender in was a bit of a gamble. “But then again, once we have got him fit – and we got him fit quick with the way he applied himself,” added the veteran boss. “You don’t play that many games for Liverpool if you are a bad player.”
