Sarr’s Liverpool Dream on Ice: Clinton Morrison's Advice
Sarr’s Liverpool dream is on ice. His Crystal Palace future is clouded. And Clinton Morrison believes the winger now has only one sensible route out of the mess: get fit, get back, and get scoring.
The 22-year-old has yet to feature under new boss Pierre Sage, officially sidelined by a groin problem and training away from the main group. Around that absence, frustration and suspicion have grown, with questions over whether a failed summer move to Liverpool is still casting a shadow.
Morrison, speaking to GOAL on behalf of Freebets.com, insists the situation is far more straightforward than the noise suggests.
“I don't know what's going on because I just thought he genuinely did have an injury. And I think the manager has come out and said he's got an injury. He's training individually. He's not ready to train with the squad,” the former Palace striker said.
For Morrison, the Liverpool angle is understandable. The way it has been handled is not.
“I get it. Liverpool come in for you, you want to move. But go about it the right way because eventually you will get the move. That's what I've always said to people.
“And I don't know if he's injured or he's not injured. So at the moment, Palace say he's injured. So I believe what Palace say because I know people there. He's injured. He's training individually. So we'll wait and see.”
The narrative that Sarr has downed tools to force a transfer does not convince Morrison, even if he accepts the player will be hurting after seeing a potential switch fall through.
“If people are thinking he's not training because he wanted to get his move - yeah, he's disappointed he didn't get his move. But Marc Guehi, loads of times he didn't get his move. [Eberechi] Eze didn't get his move. Eventually, you'll get your move. Handle the situation differently.”
For all the emotion, Morrison is clear about one thing: Palace chairman Steve Parish is not the villain here.
“And I know one thing, the chairman will let you have that move for sure. But because you come in so late with the bid, the chairman can't afford the top goalscorer to leave the football club and leave the club hanging on by a thread to stay in the Premier League. They've got to look after themselves.”
Liverpool’s recruitment only tightens the squeeze on Sarr’s hopes. The Anfield club, still keen on Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh after seeing a £65 million offer rejected, have already brought in £123 million Champions League winner Bradley Barcola and highly rated Spaniard Victor Munoz. Cody Gakpo stayed put, while 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha is pushing for minutes.
With that level of competition, the window for Sarr may be narrowing fast.
“So if someone wants to move to Liverpool, he can't just sit there and wait because Liverpool might go, ‘well, we're going to get [Yankuba] Minteh’, who is a younger player. His move to Liverpool might not happen,” Morrison warned.
“What he should do is get back fit for Palace, score goals and then prove to people. And then in January, if everything's all right, he might get that move.”
Asked if Liverpool will still be at the table when the market reopens, Morrison did not dodge the reality of their priorities.
“I know they want a right-sided player. And their number one was Minteh. And Brighton knocked them back. They offered £65 million.
“I know Sarr wants that move there - I get it, it's Liverpool Football Club. Everyone will want to go to Liverpool. But the move's not happened now. And the best thing to do is get your head down, get fit and play a big part in Palace doing well this season.”
Sarr is not the only Palace forward tangled in off-field drama. Jean-Philippe Mateta, the muscular focal point of their attack, has created his own storm by claiming a 12-month extension triggered in his contract is invalid. This, after coming close to joining AC Milan in January.
Morrison, who knows the Frenchman personally, sounded baffled by the stance.
“I don't get that with JP. And I know him really well. So it's a strange one. I feel like he's being badly advised. It’s as simple as that, he's a good person. I've got a lot of time for JP. And I feel like he's getting badly advised.”
Mateta is currently injured but not far from a return.
“But one thing with JP is he's injured at the moment. He should be back in a week or a couple of weeks. When he's back, he'll give his all for that club,” Morrison insisted.
He pointed to last season as proof of character.
“As you saw last season, when there was a lot of noise, he'd be leaving, could have gone to AC Milan. Obviously, it didn't happen with the medical. Came back, scored the goal in the Europa Conference League final.”
Two forwards, two sagas, and a fanbase running out of patience. Morrison understands the frustration but refuses to write either man off.
“So obviously, there's two players that Palace fans are probably frustrated with at the moment - Sarr and Mateta. But I still think they are two players that will have a big impact for the club when they come back.”
Palace need that impact. Sarr and Mateta need a reset. January will not wait for anyone.
