Liverpool legend: This is why Jurgen Klopp was right to axe Mamadou Sakho

LIVERPOOL legend John Barnes believes Jurgen Klopp's was right to axe Mamadou Sakho from the pre-season tour.

By Jack Wilson                    

BACKING: John Barnes has supported Jurgen Klopp's decision to axe Mamadou Sakho

The France defender was sent home from the United States because of his poor time-keeping.

Barnes believes that immediately sent a message to the rest of the Liverpool squad to play ball - or else.

He said: "Managers needs to be given that autonomy.

"The manager needs to be given that strength to then say if 'I take a decision to drop somebody or to send them home or tell someone off then you will have to back me' - and the fans do.

"There are certain managers, (Jose) Mourinho, (Antonio) Conte, (Pep) Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, they can take decisions and the fans will back them.

"That's not happened in the past. Players have been too powerful at the clubs in the past where things have gone wrong and you blame the manager.

"We're not going to blame Guardiola, Liverpool fans aren't going to blame Jurgen Klopp, and that's when the players will then need to take on the responsibility and the accountability for the bad performances.

“When they play badly we are not going to say its 'Jurgen's fault', and that's what has to happen."