A former Liverpool star found himself frozen at Anfield
Jurgen Klopp took no prisoners at Liverpool, but Mamadou Sakho knew that firsthand after he was expelled from the club. The Frenchman joined the Premier League side in 2013 for an £18 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain and almost won the league title in his debut season under manager Brendan Rodgers.
It was two and a half years later that the Northern Irishman was sacked and Klopp was appointed as his replacement. Sakho had signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool a month before the German’s arrival, and he believed he would play a key role in Klopp’s transformation of the team.
It was the beginning of the end for Sakho, who returned from pre-season in the United States the summer after Klopp’s first pre-season with Liverpool. The defender was accused of being late for flights, team meals and treatment sessions.
Explaining his decision to bring him back to Merseyside, Klopp said at the time: “I thought it might make sense for him to fly back to Liverpool and come back in eight or 10 days and then we could talk about it. It’s not that serious.”
“He almost missed his flight, he was late for a session and he was late for a meal. We have some rules and you have to respect them. If someone doesn’t respect that or makes me feel like someone doesn’t respect that, I have to react, that’s all.”
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“How he reacted is a secret. But there was no discussion. You can’t have a discussion when only one person is talking. That’s it. I think missing a session is a missed session. Even injured players have sessions.”
At the start of the 2016/17 season, Sakho remained banned from the first team and was forced to train with the Under-23s. He expressed his dissatisfaction with his demotion, once choosing to air his dissatisfaction on his Snapchat account at 3am.
“It’s been 3 weeks since I was fit to play. They don’t want me to play in the Segonde (U23 team) team (lol). Still working hard like a Scouse Soldier! I haven’t spoken yet because I want to talk on the pitch… For those who support me but don’t understand the situation, I’ll talk soon (emoji).”
“I’m still happy to be living in the country of Liverpool with my family (emoji). I hope I have the opportunity to play soon to give my best as always! I accept my situation, but I can’t accept lies… The fans have a right to know the truth! Thank you for the support (emoji) 6 months and stay quiet. Good night everyone! I’ll never walk alone! (emoji)”.
Sakho never played for Liverpool again and was loaned out to Crystal Palace in January 2017 before making a permanent move to south London. Speaking to Canal Football Club, the player admitted, “It’s true that I was late. There were rules to follow. I don’t think I’m above the rules at all. I respect everyone.”
“I paid the fine, I was sanctioned and I apologized to my team-mates and the manager. That aside… I don’t want to get into any controversy.” Sakho went public about the respect he still has for Klopp earlier this year, but revealed there were details about his expulsion that he had kept secret.
He told the Liverpool Echo: “We have a good relationship because I’m not a negative guy. I’ve always respected him. I like the type of football he plays.” When addressing the lack of punctuality and antics on Snapchat, Sakho explained: “Seriously, a player was late for dinner and it’s 7:15 and he’s here at 7:18 and he’s leaving the club now? Come on.
“What I wrote (on Snapchat) is true. But the truth always takes the stairs and the lie takes the elevator. People see football and I have very little inside but I can’t talk about it. So as a man I always keep it to myself and that’s it.”
“I never talk about it and I won’t talk about it for the time being, because it’s not important. I’ve really enjoyed my time at Liverpool. Of course I’ll talk about it someday. Of course I’ll talk about it someday, but not now. It’s not the right time.”
Sakho could be a keen viewer of Liverpool’s EFL Cup match against Crystal Palace tonight. The Eagles have already defeated Arn Slott’s side twice this season and will certainly take advantage of the chance to face a Reds side who are in poor form.
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