Crystal Palace's Sarr Ruled Out of Fulham Trip After Liverpool Move Falls Through

Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr will miss Saturday's Premier League visit to Fulham while recovering from a groin injury, after a proposed late-window transfer to Liverpool did not go through. BBC Sport reported that Palace head coach Pierre Sage believes the Senegal international will need time to process the collapse of the possible move to Anfield.

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Sarr, 28, was linked with Liverpool during the closing stages of the transfer window but remained at Selhurst Park when no deal was completed. He finished last season as Palace's leading scorer, and Sage acknowledged that the opportunity to join Liverpool had been significant for the player. The coach said time would be needed before Sarr could put the disappointment behind him.

The forward has not appeared for Palace this season because of the groin problem. He missed the club's Premier League defeats away to Everton and at home to Manchester City, and Sage confirmed that he will remain unavailable for the trip to Fulham. The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Palace also explored another attacking move before the deadline. According to BBC Sport, the club held talks with Belgian forward Malick Fofana, but the 21-year-old opted to leave Lyon for Sunderland instead. The reported value of that transfer was £30 million. Sage said Palace had made its best effort in the negotiations and wished Fofana well after his decision.

Saturday's fixture brings together two teams still searching for their first Premier League point of the season. Palace opened with defeats against Everton and Manchester City. Fulham also lost its first two league matches, falling at home to Chelsea before an away defeat at Sunderland.

For Palace, the immediate position is clear: Sarr remains a member of the squad but is not yet available to play. His return date was not specified in the BBC report, and Sage did not suggest that the failed Liverpool move would be revived. The coach's comments instead focused on giving the forward time while Palace prepares for Fulham without last season's top scorer.