Former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has made explosive claims about his turbulent relationship with Jurgen Klopp, shedding light on the real reasons behind his abrupt exit from Anfield.
The French centre-back, who spent three years at Liverpool before moving to Crystal Palace in 2017, revealed how a single disciplinary incident shattered his career under the German manager.
The Infamous US Tour Incident
Sakho's downfall began during Liverpool's 2016 pre-season tour of America when Klopp famously sent him home early for repeated breaches of discipline. "I missed the team bus three times," Sakho admitted. "The first two times, Klopp gave me a warning. But the third time? That was it."
The defender described how his relationship with Klopp deteriorated rapidly after this incident, despite having been a key player in the manager's early months at the club.
From Hero to Zero
"Before that tour, I was playing regularly," Sakho recalled. "I'd started in the Europa League final against Sevilla just months earlier. But after America, everything changed."
The 34-year-old explained how he was suddenly frozen out of the first team picture, forced to train with the reserves despite being fully fit. "I went from starting important matches to not even making the squad," he said.
Klopp's Ruthless Side
Sakho's revelations offer a rare glimpse into Klopp's uncompromising management style. "He could be very warm, but also extremely cold," the defender explained. "When he decided something, there was no discussion."
The former PSG captain admitted he struggled to adapt to Klopp's intense demands, particularly regarding punctuality and discipline. "In France, we have a different approach to timekeeping," Sakho said. "But in England, especially with Klopp, every minute counts."
Life After Liverpool
After his £26 million move to Crystal Palace, Sakho rebuilt his career before spells at Montpellier and now as a free agent. While he acknowledges Klopp's success at Liverpool, he maintains the manager's treatment of him was unnecessarily harsh.
"Look at what he's achieved - no one can argue with that," Sakho said. "But I still believe my situation could have been handled differently."
