PASADENA, United States,July 28 – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Mamadou Sakho still has a role to play at the club despite his recent off-the-field antics.
Sakho was sidelined at the end of last season after testing positive for a banned substance, but the case was later dropped after it emerged the substance in question was not on the ‘banned list’.
Now, during pre-season, the France international has been sent home by the Reds boss for unprofessional behaviour.
“He missed the departure of the plane, he missed a session and then was late for a meal,” the German told reporters.
“I have to build a group here, I have to start anew, so I thought it maybe made sense that he flew home to Liverpool and after eight days, when we come back, we can talk about it.”
Klopp did, however, mention that the 26-year-old wouldn’t be fined.
“I am not interested in the money of the players. Not often in my life have I had to fine anybody, because I want that we learn together to do the right thing.
“Always it is the same with every group. I don’t like fining.”