Jurgen Klopp has discussed the situation surrounding Mamadou Sakho after the defender’s positive drugs test.
Sakho was left out of Liverpool’s squad for the 2-2 draw with Newcastle after it emerged that UEFA had contacted the Reds over an ‘adverse finding in a doping test’ the 26-year-old conducted after the 1-1 Europa League draw against Manchester United in March.
The Frenchman has not been banned by the club, but watched the match from the Anfield stands after it was decided that he should not play on Saturday.
Before the game, a journalist asked manager Klopp whether he could explain why Sakho was not involved in the matchday squad. The German replied: “I could, but I think you know already.
“I don’t know much,” Klopp added. After the draw, the manager said: “I knew since yesterday but haven’t had the chance to speak to Sakho. Today was not about missing Mama. We’ll know more next week.
“We have made a statement and that’s all we can say at this moment and want to say.”
Liverpool led Newcastle 2-0 at half-time on Saturday afternoon, but conspired to draw 2-2 against the relegation-embattled side.
On the disappointment ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first-leg tie with Villarreal, Klopp told Sky Sports: “I’m not angry. It doesn’t feel like we won a point. It feels like we have lost it. It’s not our best day.
“It was an intensive game. Newcastle had two shots and two goals. We had a few more shots and could have scored more goals but didn’t and have to take what we can get.”
Speaking to Match of the Day, the German discussed a penalty appeal from goalscorer Daniel Sturridge, with Newcastle breaking up the pitch for Jack Colback to equalise less than a minute later.
“It was a clear penalty on Daniel Sturridge,” Klopp said. “I don’t know why the referee didn’t use the whistle.
“There is nothing to criticise about attitude. Even when it was a draw I only saw chances on one side. Usually we should win a game in this situation but have to accept it.
“Nobody understands why they [Newcastle] are in the relegation zone.”
No comments:
Post a Comment