Mamadou Sakho has been sent back to Merseyside from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States, prompting question marks over his future at the club.
Jurgen Klopp made the decision to eject the centre-back from the club’s East Palo Alto base, and while the Reds have refused to comment on the matter beyond confirming his departure back to England for treatment, it is a peculiar situation.
The France international, who is currently sidelined with Achilles tendinopathy, is the only injured player to have been released from camp.
Joe Gomez has the same setback, and while he also has rehabilitation on his knee to complete, there are other squad members nursing concerns.
Lucas has a hamstring injury, while Joel Matip has not been risked during preparations as his troublesome foot problem is monitored.
It is also telling that it was not the medical team who suggested Sakho return to Liverpool, but a directive from Klopp.
There have been no indicators of a fallout of any sort, but a suggestion exists that the 26-year-old has not been as diligent as his team-mates.
Meanwhile, there is positivity regarding Matip’s situation. The backroom team are happy with the shape the Cameroon international is in, but do not want to jeopardise his availability for the start of the season by putting him through the intense training sessions.
The 24-year-old, who watched the end of Monday evening’s workout from the bleachers at Stanford University, will sit out Wednesday’s International Champions Cup clash against Chelsea with fellow new recruit Ragnar Klavan in line to make his Liverpool bow.
- Goal