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Liverpool defender’s future in limbo as PL club reject chance to sign him

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With just over a week to go until Transfer Deadline Day, Jurgen Klopp is running out of time to finalise this defender’s future.

Mamadou Sakho’s season came to a crashing halt in April of last year, when the French defender was pulled up for an alleged doping offence. He went on to miss the end of the season, as well as the Euro 2016 tournament in his native France – much to the disappointment of the talented defender.

The offence was then overturned in July, when the substance was discovered to not actually be against the rules; meaning that Sakho missed several months of football for absolutely no reason.

He is still suffering the consequences now, with the defender terribly unfit after almost five months without senior football; and as a result he is unavailable for selection for Liverpool.

Whilst Jurgen Klopp is very keen for Sakho to get regular game time and get back up to speed, he reportedly does not see his short term future at Liverpool. He can’t risk playing an unfit defender each week, and so he is reportedly keen to send Sakho out on loan this season.

However, the prospective list of clubs interested in the loan has today diminished; with the Daily Mail suggesting that Sunderland have rejected the chance to sign the defender on a short-term deal.

Whilst Sakho’s lack of fitness is definitely a concern for a prospective club, it is definitely easy to forget just how good the French defender actually is.

This table, courtesy of Whoscored.com might just help to understand that…

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According to who scored.com, Sakho does not have a single major disadvantage – a crucial factor to note when looking at central defenders.

Contrastingly, they suggest that passing, concentration and aerial duels are particular strengths for the French defender – making him the perfect man to command the heart of any defence.

Need a bit more? Check out this compilation video featuring some of Sakho’s best bits in a Liverpool shirt…

Liverpool fans – Disappointed to see Sakho go?

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