Christian Benteke made a scoring return to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The Belgian striker, who lasted just one season at Liverpool before his move to Selhurst Park, drew Palace level before half-time after Philippe Coutinho’s free-kick had given the hosts the lead.
His celebrations in front of the Kop were muted, presumably out of respect for the supporters of the club that used to employ him. However, before the game had restarted, he was seen shaking hands with Mamadou Sakho – a player on loan from Liverpool at Palace.
Benteke & Sakho's handshake after the goal… pic.twitter.com/5rklknk8Ag
— Daniel I. (@DannLFCTR) April 23, 2017
Because of the loan deal, Sakho was not permitted to play against Liverpool and, judging by recent reports, is unlikely to return to the club on a permanent basis when the season is over. This said, the fact that he’s still technically a Liverpool player meant the sight of him celebrating a goal against the club left a sour taste in the mouths of its supporters.
What a free kick, disgrace that Sakho celebrated…. I hope he is gone this summer. #LIVCRY
— Luke Murphy (@LukeMurph21) April 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/AnfieldNation/status/856180526591483904
Just for that celebration, I'd cancel Sakho's loan, call him back and not play him. 😒 #LFC
— Nash (@Nash__Black) April 23, 2017
On that handshake, it's understandable that Benteke & Sakho are bitter towards Klopp, but that celebration was in bad taste. Not Classy.
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) April 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/WarriorLFC/status/856185501186961409
Sakho for me is dead.
I'd let him see out his contract with the youth team after that celebration— MerseysideRed🇮🇱🇮🇳 (@SG3rrard) April 23, 2017
Sakho is a disgrace.. #lfc
— Noel Carroll (@noelcarroll_irl) April 23, 2017
Not content with scoring just the one on his Anfield return, Benteke added a second after the break which was enough to give Palace all three points. On that occasion, Sakho didn’t join him for the celebrations.
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