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Apr 23, 2017 at 4.30pm UK
 
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Mamadou Sakho defends himself over celebration against Liverpool

Sakho defends himself over celebration
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Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho, who is on loan from Liverpool, defends his celebration with Christian Benteke during the Eagles' 2-1 win at Anfield.

Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho has insisted that he did not mean to disrespect Liverpool when celebrating with Christian Benteke during his side's 2-1 win at Anfield on Sunday.

Sakho, who is on loan at Palace from Liverpool, came in for criticism after engaging in a celebratory handshake on the touchline as Benteke came back to haunt his former club with a match-winning brace.

The France international was ineligible to feature against his parent club, but insists that there was nothing more behind his actions.

"When Christian scored, I stayed seated as I didn't want to celebrate [out of] respect for the club to which I belong and the fans. But when he came over to me, I stood up and did what we always do as friends ... our hand check," he told reporters.

"There was nothing behind it, nothing else to imply by it. Just two friends who are playing for the same team and who have the same goal, which is to get the three points at each game to make sure the team stays in the Premier League. We were very happy, obviously. We need all the points we can get to be sure to stay in the Premier League - that is our mission.

"That is why I accepted the challenge with Palace, and we need to be the best we can as a team to succeed. If we were losing 2-0 and Christian reduced the score, we would have also done it if he came to me. I still hope Liverpool qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season, and wish them luck."

Sakho is expected to return when Palace face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.

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Christian Benteke celebrates during the Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Southampton on December 3, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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