Liverpool coach: Sakho too good for Crystal Palace

Mamadou Sakho is “too good” to play for Crystal Palace, according to Liverpool coach Michael Beale.
Sakho, who joined Palace on loan in January was again superb in Palace’s 3-0 demolition of Arsenal as he kept a close eye on Danny Welbeck.

The commanding centre-back was exiled at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp after falling out with German over, amongst other things, his timekeeping.

However, Sakho has been a revelation for Palace helping Sam Allardyce’s men concede just four goals in his six games to see them move clear of relegation trouble and Big Sam is keen to sign the player up in the summer.

Allardyce though knows he has a “big negotiation” on his hands to secure the 27-year-old on a permanent deal and Beale, speaking to Sky Sports, believes Sakho will move on.

“When he first came to us at the U23s, I didn’t really know what happened with the manager,” said Under-23 coach Beale.

“I didn’t want to know, and I said to him that as long as he respected me and the U23 players and staff then we wouldn’t have a problem. He went well beyond that.

“From that day onwards he was getting changed in a Portakabin. He was never, ever late, and he worked his socks off. He could not have been a better professional. You are seeing the results of that work now at Palace.

“Although we had some good players in that group – Ben Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold – he was playing in front of 1,000 people, and was the target for everyone, being so famous. His attitude was outstanding. I have never seen anything like it.

READ MORE: Sakho: ‘I do not know what else I can do’

“We built a really good relationship, and he texted me when he joined Palace, obviously pleased to have made the move.

“For a team like Crystal Palace, he is a god-send. He is not usually someone they could afford, or even pay that sort of salary. He is inspirational to others around him. He is one of those guys who just walks into a dressing room and has a presence, you know they are there.

“It is a shame what happened at Liverpool (falling out with Klopp),” Beale told Sky Sports.”Both parties have lost. Sakho is playing for a club that I think he is too good to play for.

“Everyone is looking for a left-footed centre half. If it is to be that he leaves Liverpool, he won’t be short of offers. He will likely move on.”