---
title: "Klopp: Sakho return will take time"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/columns/klopp-sakho-return-will-take-time/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Columns"
published: "2016-09-08T15:28:25Z"
modified: "2016-09-08T15:28:25Z"
---

# Klopp: Sakho return will take time

Jurgen Klopp insists Mamadou Sakho has to regain his fitness, rather than his manager’s trust before he returns to the Liverpool side after the French defender turned down a loan move on deadline day.

Sakho has not featured since scoring in the Merseyside Derby in April, sidelined by a UEFA suspension for allegedly taking a banned substance, which has since been lifted, and then an Achilles injury.

The 26-year old was sent home from the club’s pre-season tour due to concerns over his attitude, and he has fallen out-of-favour following the arrivals of Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, despite a string of impressive performances in the latter part of the 2015/16 campaign.

Dismissing rumours that he will not play again this term, Klopp insists Sakho will be back under consideration after completing his recovery.

![Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2016/09/523509054.jpg)

“We have to make Mama fit now,” the German said. “We went through an open transfer phase, whatever. You have to prepare decisions, you have to make decisions. You have to prepare for the situation after the window closes.

“So you have to think about a few things and you have to tell the players the truth. Of course, after closing the window, the situation is like it is, you cannot change it the squad situation anymore. That’s what I did, not only with Mama but with all of the players, tell them what I think would be the best.

“At this moment it’s about making Mama fit what he isn’t after this long time with suspension and injuries. Then we will see what happens. I have no idea what happens when because it’s about ‘who performs how’, our results, all that stuff. But at the end, Mama knows and I know from my side, that’s enough.”

Klopp insists he remembers Sakho’s glowing displays at the end of last season but was keen to stress he will have to fight for his place.

“He doesn’t have to regain my trust, I’m not blind but it’s the situation. He couldn’t play football for a long time, it makes sense after a long break to think ‘how can you can get match time’?

“That’s hopefully difficult because the other players are fit and will hopefully stay fit. Not hopefully for Mama of course but for the other players and the squad, for results and all that stuff. You have to speak about it before the window closes because that’s the moment you can make decisions and that’s what I did.”

“I’m not silly enough to forget good performances and things like this but in the end, we will see what will happen.”

Questions have been raised over Liverpool’s defence once again this season, with the Reds having conceded six goals in their first three Premier League games.