Sakho looked set to leave Liverpool on loan, but after turning down offers he could face an uphill battle to get himself back into the side this season.
It is safe to say it has not been the easiest period of Mamadou Sakho’s Liverpool career. The last time he kicked a ball in anger was back in April, when he scored in a 4-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby.
It only added to the popularity the Frenchman has among Liverpool fans, but then he was said to have tested positive for a doping violation – something he was later cleared of after it was reported he had taken a fat burner.
Since then he had a setback with an Achilles injury and was sent home from the club’s tour of the United States for alleged breaches of discipline. Subsequently he was told to find a club to go out on loan to for the season to get some game time, with warnings that he would not play this season if he didn’t, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Sakho remained at Liverpool. If he was fit enough to play for Liverpool against Leicester City, the chances are he wouldn’t get into the side even if his attitude and fitness had been to the manager’s liking. Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip partnered each other on several occasions in pre-season, and have done nothing in their first two competitive outings together to warrant either one or both being removed from the starting XI.
A lot of work needs to be done on Sakho’s part to win Jurgen Klopp round, and he has taken a big gamble. The Reds have no fewer than six players who can operate in a central defensive role with Sakho remaining at the club.
In short, the less stories that we hear about Sakho being around the club, then the better it will be for everyone connected to the Reds. The player now just needs to get his head down and work hard, eat the right things, respect the manager’s decisions and show a will to improve in training sessions even if he is not getting the game time he would like.
It could well be an uphill battle, but the player probably sees that proving both his fitness and professionalism is best when the manager can see it all for himself. But between now and January is going to be a crucial spell for the Frenchman off the field. If he gets next to no game time, will he seek the loan move he could have got earlier? Only time will tell.
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