Sakho explains Palace goal celebration

Cape Town - On-loan Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho will have angered many Liverpool supporters when he celebrated Christian Benteke's goal on Sunday.

Sakho, on-loan from Liverpool and unable to play against his parent club, celebrated with Benteke when the Belgian scored the winner to put Palace 2-1 up in their Premier League clash at Anfield.

And, now the French defender has come out saying the celebration was not meant to offend Liverpool.

"When Christian scored, I stayed seated as is didn't want to celebrate by respect for the club to which I belong and the fans," said the Frenchman.

"But when he came over to me, I stood up and did what we always do as friends, our hand check.

"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," he said.

Benteke himself is a former Liverpool player.

Sakho has been praised for his recent performances, which have seen Sam Allardyce's side climb up the table and escape the relegation dogfight.

Palace next welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Selhurst Park on Wednesday night in an English Premiership clash.

Kick off gets underway at 21:00.