With Mamadou Sakho a major target of Crystal Palace, with his well publicised fall out with Jurgen Klopp last pre-season and with him back training at Liverpool we decided to ask the fans what they thought of the Liverpool and French international defender.
Crystal Palace managed a second half of the season fightback to remain in the Premier League, and Sakho's loan move was matched with a big improvement in the number of clean sheets the club recorded as it collected many points in the final few months (including that win against Liverpool at Anfield!)
So in a similar question to that posed by punk rockers The Clash in 1981, we asked:
Should he stay or should he go?
We were a little surprised at the mood of the responses - with the majority of people suggesting he should stay at Anfield.
Would like to see him play alongside Matip
— Amien Parker (@AmienParker) July 6, 2017
At this point, he should stay. Fills a much-needed role since no CB signed so far.
— Chris Siegel (@ecupurplehaze) July 6, 2017
Until such time as we do bring in significant improvement to our defence, he absolutely needs to stay
— Justin Hess (@JChess1) July 6, 2017
We should keep Sakho, strong, powerful and great defender!!! Save the 50mill and go for a striker with it...#LFC https://t.co/dIanWLnVFE
— James.. (@JamesHealeyreal) July 6, 2017
Rather have him start over Lovren if we can't find a better center back.
— Kyle Anderson (@KuzieBadAzz) July 6, 2017
I'd keep him.. he is a beast of a defender.. proved it for palace last season
— Andy Brimage (@19_Brimage_87) July 6, 2017
I'd rather sell Lovren
— Lizwi Ngqondoyi (@lizwi_7) July 6, 2017
Give him a second chance. He has seen what its like at a lower level club. Hopefully it's reinstalled his humbleness and professionalism.
— ian kerr (@ik7_ian) July 7, 2017
In fact over 80% of people went on to add to their opinion that he should stay - with many suggesting he was preferred in that position to Dejan Lovren and that Liverpool should be focusing on other areas of the pitch to improve.
But there were some doubters - with most picking up on the Klopp/Sakho relationship.
I think he should stay. However, if he doesn't get along with the manager its a recipe for disaster.
— Donald McPherson (@shanguljunior) July 6, 2017
Doping shite, USA training camp shite, Instagram shite, what else? He is not a team player. He had same kind of probelm at PSG. ➡️GO
— Pekka Jokinen (@jpeksi) July 6, 2017
100% Stay, but Jurgen is the boss not me
— craig laurie (@claurie1) July 6, 2017
Rumours last week said that Sakho and Palace had reached agreement on personal terms but that Liverpool were waiting for the offer of a £30M transfer fee.