Liverpool’s signing of Mamadou Sakho was seen as a major statement by Brendan Rodgers at the time, with the £18 million deal setting a club record for a central defender. As a 14-time France international and former PSG captain, there were high hopes that he would be a key figure in Liverpool’s defense for years and help secure their first Premier League title.
However, his time at Anfield was turbulent, marked by inconsistent performances and a doping ban in 2016. Eventually, Sakho was demoted to the under-23s, signaling the dramatic end of his Liverpool career. Now playing for Georgian club Torpedo Kutaisi, he has spoken about his exit and his life beyond football.
Sakho’s Liverpool Exit: Klopp’s Decision to Drop Him
Initially, Sakho thrived under Jurgen Klopp, delivering standout performances in Europe and helping Liverpool reach the Europa League final. He even scored a crucial goal in the memorable comeback against Borussia Dortmund. However, weeks before the final, he was handed a 30-day suspension after testing positive for a fat-burning substance.
Determined to clear his name, Sakho successfully fought the ban and was exonerated in July 2016. WADA later admitted he had not violated UEFA’s anti-doping rules and had acted in good faith.
Despite this, Sakho’s Liverpool career never recovered. During the club’s pre-season tour in the USA, he was sent home due to disciplinary issues, including missing a flight, skipping a rehab session, and arriving late for a team meal. Klopp’s patience ran out, and Sakho was permanently dropped from the first team. The club cited fitness concerns, but Sakho disputed this, posting on Snapchat:
“Still working hard like a Scouse soldier! Still not talking because I want to speak on the pitch… I will speak soon for the people who support me and don’t understand the situation. I accept my situation, but I can’t accept the lie… The fans deserve to know the truth!”
Sakho was loaned to Crystal Palace in January 2017 and impressed enough to make the move permanent for a club-record £25 million that summer.
Sakho on His Doping Ban and Relationship with Klopp
Reflecting on his career in a 2025 interview with the Liverpool Echo, Sakho opened up about the impact of his doping ban and his thoughts on Klopp.
“I was confident everything was going well before the doping story changed my career path. But I believe in fate. I fought for years to clear my name, and in the end, I proved I was right. It was important to me to restore my father’s name and make my family proud. Of course, it affected my career, but I have to accept it and move forward.”
On Klopp, he remained diplomatic:
“I always respect. I like his style of football. But football is football. Sometimes, decisions are made, and that’s just how it is.”
Sakho’s Mixed Legacy at Liverpool
During his four years at Anfield, Sakho divided opinion. Some saw him as a future defensive leader, while others viewed him as error-prone. His £18 million signing was initially regarded as a significant investment, with Rodgers praising his experience and potential.
His first season nearly ended in glory as Liverpool came close to winning the league, finishing two points behind Manchester City. However, their defense conceded 50 goals, leading some to criticize Sakho’s reliability, despite his impressive 92% passing accuracy.
In the 2014/15 season, his role diminished, making just 16 appearances as the club signed Dejan Lovren for £20 million, signaling a lack of trust in him. Rodgers was eventually sacked in 2015, and while Sakho initially flourished under Klopp, his time at Liverpool ended in disappointment.