Jurgen Klopp has offered Mamadou Sakho some reassurances over his Liverpool future after the defender was sent home from the tour of the United States.
The centre-back was ordered to return to Melwood to continue his rehabilitation from an Achilles injury after being late on three separate occasions, which caused the Reds boss to question his attitude.
However, Klopp said the France international’s punishment would not be extended beyond his exile from the pre-season trip and there was no question of him being sold.
“Come on, it’s not (like that). Three times late, do you think I should (sell him)?” he said when asked what the future held for the 26-year-old.
“No, it’s an issue – it’s not the biggest thing, it’s not the smallest thing – it’s how football works.
“We have a few rules; a few from me, a few from the team.
“When you want a great team then you have to do some things – if you don’t do it then I have to react.
“I reacted – but nothing else. He missed three things he should not have missed, that is all, and that is why I sent him home.”
Klopp added on Sky Sports: “Mama is not a bad guy, he’s a good person.
“He’s not happy about the situation but it was my decision in this moment.
“You can believe I didn’t want to do things like this, I like to be a nice guy until I can’t be a nice guy any more.
“So he’s at home, we are here; we train here, he trains there. When we come to Liverpool again, then we’ll have a talk and we’ll see.”