Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Mamadou Sakho was sent home from the club’s tour of the US for breaking the rules.
The Frenchman, who is currently injured, was told to return to the UK after three cases of indiscipline and will now hold crunch talks regarding his future at the club next week.
Sakho nearly missed the flight to the US, then missed a training session and was late for a team meal, Klopp has admitted.
The Reds boss has said, “I have to build a group and we’ve got to start a new from here. I thought maybe it made more sense for him to fly home.
“We have some rules and we have to respect them – if somebody gives me the feeling they are not respecting it then I have to react.
“After eight or ten days we can talk about it. We had no arguement but I spoke – you cannot argue when only one person is speaking.”
Sakho also interrupted Klopp while the manager was conducting an interview with the club website and it was clear from the German’s reaction that he was already irritated by his defender.
But it seems the other incidents have proved enough to send the sidelined Frenchman home, where he will recieve further treatment for his injury.
Klopp added, “Fine him? You can ask, and I can explain it in general. I am not interested in the money of the players.
“Not really often in life have I had to fine anybody because I want that we learn together to do the thing that is right.
“Always it is the same with every group. I don’t like fining. Sometimes it’s funny, when the fine is bull***. Come on, pay for it, that’s nice.
“But mistakes? Fining never helps.”
Sakho missed the end of last season after testing positive for what was believed to be a banned substance, resulting in the Frenchman missing the Europa League Final and Euro 2016.
He was cleared of any wrongdoing but was then diagnosed with a achilles injury that is expected to keep him out for the beginning of the season.
Whether we see Sakho in a Liverpool shirt again, it remains to be seen, but the centre-back certainly has some issues that need to be discussed before he puts on a Reds shirt again.
