Former Liverpool defender in trouble after ‘training ground bust-up’ with manager

Former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has reportedly been involved in a changing room bust-up with manager Michel Der Zakarian.

Sakho, 33, played for the Reds for four years between 2013 and 2017 before being sold to Crystal Palace for a deal worth around £26m.

A no-nonsense defender, his inability to play out from the back saw Jurgen Klopp make the decision to sell the Frenchman. However, he was sent home from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the 2016/17 season after being late for multiple responsibilities and was demoted from the senior squad, and thus only played competitive football with the reserves in the Professional Development League that season before earning a mid-season loan spell at Palace.

Disciplinary issues are reported to have arisen again at his current club Montpellier, where he’s been since leaving England in 2021.

According to the French media outlet L’Equipe, Sakho grabbed manager Der Zakarian by the collar and knocked him to the ground in front of several witnesses during a training ground bust-up.

The alleged confrontation was sparked when Sakho was not given a foul by Der Zakarian during training, and proceeded to leave the training pitch. Players and staff members quickly stepped in to prevent the situation escalating further, while Der Zakarian was left furious, banging on the walls and doors to let his frustration out, it is reported.

There’s already been tension at the club after a mixed start and between the pair after Sakho was unable to secure a move away during the season after the manager had allowed him to leave.

As a result, he’s featured for just six minutes off the bench against FC Lorient.