Mamadou Sakho was sent back from Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States because of a lack of respect towards rules but the defender's actions were not serious enough to warrant more punishment, manager Jurgen Klopp has said.
The France international, who was recently cleared by Uefa after allegations of a failed drugs test, is currently nursing an Achilles injury and is expected to miss the start of the Premier League season, which begins on August 13.
Klopp said Sakho broke rules during the tour.
“He missed the departure of the plane, he missed a session and then was late for a meal,” Klopp told British media ahead Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the International Champions Cup clash on their pre-season tour of North America on Wednesday evening.
“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.
“But it’s not that serious. It is how I said, we have some rules and we have to respect them. If somebody doesn’t respect it, or somebody gives me the feeling he is not respecting it, then I have to react, that’s all.”
See also:
• Mamadou Sakho sent home from Liverpool's pre-season tour by Jurgen Klopp
• Augsburg defender Ragnar Klavan realises childhood 'dream' to sign for Liverpool
• Jurgen Klopp expects 'only a minor injury' for new Liverpool defender Joel Matip
Klopp said there was no falling out with Sakho and it was unlikely the club will fine the 26-yaer-old centre-back.
“We had no argument. I spoke. You cannot argue when only one person is speaking, that’s all,” the former Borussia Dortmund manager said.
“Always it is the same with every group. I don’t like fining. Sometimes it’s funny ... But mistakes, fining never helps.”
Chelsea had Cesc Fabregas sent off as they beat Liverpool 1-0 in their International Champions Cup clash in Los Angeles.
The midfielder was dismissed with 20 minutes remaining at the Rose Bowl Stadium for a late challenge on Liverpoo’s new signing Ragnar Klavan.
Gary Cahill got the only goal of the game in the 10th minute, heading in a Fabregas corner.
The England defender was also booked in the clash of the Premier League rivals, with Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno, Ovie Ejaria, Marko Grujic, Dejan Lovren and Kevin Stewart also receiving yellow cards.
As well as Kavlan, Liverpool manager Klopp gave starts to fellow recent arrivals Sadio Mane and Loris Karius in a match which was watched by more than 53,000 in California.
The closest his team came to a goal was in the 35th minute, when Roberto Firmino’s effort was ruled out for offside.
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