Allardyce not confident of keeping Sakho at Palace

Mamadou Sakho’s Liverpool career is likely already over, but that does not mean that he will stay at Crystal Palace – the club where is currently on loan – on a permanent deal, according to boss Sam Allardyce.

Sakho joined the Eagles on deadline day at the end of January and is in line to face his parent club when Palace travel up to Merseyside.

Palace manager Allardyce concedes that it will be a challenge to keep hold of the 27-year-old French defender, who has won five of the six matches in which he has featured.

The former England boss admits to being surprised at the leadership qualities of the Frenchman – and that is perhaps the reason Sakho is reported to be worth around £30m to Liverpool.

(Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

“It will probably be very difficult [to keep him],” said Allardyce.

“It will be down to the club and Mamadou to discuss at the end of the season. It was such a rush job [to sign him], I’m not sure there were clauses to make anything permanent.

“His leadership, as well as his ability, has been a massive plus for me. I didn’t know he had such great leadership qualities – on the training pitch and the pitch. Those types are rarer than before.”