Mamadou Sakho has said that his fitness regime has been worthwhile during his time not playing a game of Premier League football, after being left out of the Liverpool team since the summer.
The 27-year-old joined Crystal Palace on loan from Liverpool on the final day of the January transfer window after falling out with Jurgen Klopp during the club’s summer tour of America.
“My last game was 10 months ago but during this time I have been working hard on my fitness and after my performance it has all been worthwhile,” Sakho said.
“I am really proud to be involved in this victory and from my point of view it is always about me giving my best when I am out on the pitch for the club, the team and the supporters.
“We played 12 against 11 in this game because the fans were really good for us and they gave us a lot of courage and confidence to go on and play with a lot of energy and it was nice to get the result for them.
“We played very well as a team, gave a strong performance and deserved the three points in a really difficult game. It was great though to come away with the win and we played with real heart to get the result.”
The French international impressed many fans and pundits at Selhurst Park on Saturday with many hoping for more performances like that to help keep the Eagles push away from the relegation zone.
Sakho also received praise from Palace manager Sam Allardyce in his post-match press conference, who praised both his composure and experience, on his debut for the club.
“It was a nice performance (from Sakho),” said Allardyce.
“It was his first Premier League game this season, so we spent a good bit of time on his fitness and he’s accepted that he had to put that extra work in.
“His experience and composure made him look very commanding. I wasn’t sure if he’d last the whole game but he did and we needed him because he set so many attacks up for us, particularly in the first half when instead of clearing it he gave it to the midfield lads.”
The defender also received praise from teammate Christian Benteke after Palace’s 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Selhurst Park on Saturday, a victory that saw the Eagles climb out of the relegation zone.
“It has gone really well,” he said, “there are a lot of players who speak French. He speaks English too. He is very sociable and gets on with everyone so it is not a problem.
“He is a big boy, he has a lot of experience. He had to deal with his return and it went really well.”
