'Wasn't my intention': Former Liverpool player apologises after infuriating fans at Anfield eight years ago
03/29/2025 05:30 AM
The March international break has brought plenty of debate about the behaviour Liverpool fans expect from their players.
Plenty have had their say on Trent Alexander-Arnold being set to leave the Reds and join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Some – largely from outside the club – believe Liverpool supporters are being precious and should wave Alexander-Arnold off with their best wishes.
Others – and this is the clear majority – feel the Liverpool academy graduate has sold his boyhood team down the river and has behaved in a disappointing and disrespectful manner.
But if Trent’s attitude has been poor, then what of Mamadou Sakho, who once openly celebrated a goal against Liverpool at Anfield while still being an employee of the club.
Eight years on from his infamous celebration with Crystal Palace frontman Christian Benteke in 2017, Sakho has come out to clear the air.
Mamadou Sakho explains Christian Benteke celebration
Sakho was a polarising figure during his time with Liverpool. Although a strong centre-back on his day, the Frenchman was erratic and ultimately unreliable at the top level.
He also had one too many run-ins with Jurgen Klopp. And after Sakho upset Klopp by being late for a flight to the USA, he was shipped to Palace on-loan in January 2017.
From there, he rocked up at Anfield with the Eagles that April. And after seeing former Reds teammate Benteke win the game for Palace, Sakho trotted to the touchline to celebrate with him
“I just celebrated with my team-mate. That’s it,” the defender tells the Liverpool ECHO eight years on. “He came to me, I was on the bench and I couldn’t play. We just did our handshake.”
“He promised me if he scored, he will come to me. So I cannot stay sitting. So yeah, it’s part of the game. But I take responsibility for everything I do.
“And of course, if I hurt some fans, it wasn’t my intention. But I just celebrated with my team-mate who scored and that’s it. But I respect the club and I respect all the fans and they know already.”
Sakho comments on Liverpool exit
We’re not sure we really buy Sakho’s explanation or apology here. Benteke is at fault too, of course, there was simply no need to do it at all.
It all added to the feeling that Klopp was right to bomb Sakho out for his behaviour. But speaking to the ECHO, the former PSG captain still clearly believes he was mistreated by the former Liverpool manager.
“Sometimes few things happen inside. I cannot talk about it, but it’s like this. It’s football,” he says. “Small things are always good to take as an excuse. But the reality wasn’t this. But it’s fine, you know?
“But seriously, because a player is late to eat, the time’s 7.15 and he comes at 7.18, now he leaves the club? Come on.”
Sakho goes on to say that one day he will tell the full story of his acrimonious exit from Liverpool, but right now is not the time. Even when that day does arrive, we’re not sure Mamadou will ever come out of this one on the right side.
