Liverpool's 2016 pre-season tour of the USA was marked by a clash between manager Jurgen Klopp and defender Mamadou Sakho, who was sent home for breaking team rules. The incident, caught on camera at Alcatraz prison, saw Sakho filming Klopp during an interview, leading to a confrontation.
Rule breaches
Klopp later explained that Sakho had nearly missed the flight departure, missed a session, and was late for a meal. "We have some rules and we have to respect them," Klopp said. "If somebody doesn't respect it... then I have to react." Sakho was sent back to Liverpool early, with Klopp adding, "It's not that serious."
Sakho's response
Sakho acknowledged his lateness, telling Canal Football Club: "It is true that I turned up late. There was a rule that I should have observed. I paid my fine, I was sanctioned, I apologised to my team-mates and my manager."
Consequences
After the incident, Sakho was relegated to Liverpool's Under-23s and never played for the senior team again. He joined Crystal Palace on loan in January 2017, making the move permanent for £25m that summer. He later played for Montpellier and Torpedo Kutaisi before retiring in 2025.
