Crystal Palace boss puts dampener on Ismaila Sarr's Liverpool dream

Crystal Palace boss puts dampener on Ismaila Sarr's Liverpool dream

Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage has revealed that Ismaila Sarr was keen on joining Liverpool but says the club intend to keep the Senegal international at Selhurst Park beyond the January transfer window.

Liverpool made a late push for the winger during the transfer window that closed on September 1, but Palace resisted the advances and ultimately kept hold of the 28-year-old.

Sarr was understood to be disappointed at missing out on the move, with Sage acknowledging that Liverpool represented a significant opportunity for the Palace forward.

However, with Sarr currently recovering from injury, the manager believes he needs time to put the failed transfer behind him and concentrate on returning to action.

Sage told BBC Sport: "Like every bad situation, time does the job and we need time for that.

"He needs time too.

"First of all he needs to recover because he was and is injured.

"He is our player and we are happy with that."

Sage admitted that Sarr will have to come to terms with the collapse of the move, while also making it clear that the winger can still play an important role for Palace this season.

"He has to digest for sure because it's a dream for a lot of players to play with this kind of club (Liverpool).

"He had a good opportunity but in the end it didn't work.

"If he wants to continue, you have to have a good season with us as he did last year.

"We know he needs time."

With Liverpool's interest potentially returning in the future, Sage was asked whether Sarr could leave either in January or at the conclusion of the season.

The Palace boss was far from convinced that a mid-season departure would happen, particularly with the club competing in Europe and facing decisions over their squad for the latter stages of the campaign.

"I don't think (he will leave), I don't think because all the clubs are in their season.

"We have a decision to take about the European list."

He added: "It's difficult to move the team when you are in this competition."

READ MORE: Kompany delays Jamal Musiala availability ahead of Bayern's Schalke clash