Mamadou Sakho was last night given a lifeline in his hopes of keeping his Anfield career alive as he played for Liverpool under 23s up against Wolfsburg under 23s. Sakho impressed in a dominant display despite Michael Beale’s side going down in a 2-1 defeat after conceding a last minute goal having hit the post themselves just seconds before.
It was Sakho’s first game since a doping ban before the end of last season and he showed few signs of rustiness with some impressive tackling and blocks helping his side as he lined up alongside Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori. Sakho will have to impress if he is to salvage his Liverpool career after he was reportedly told that he would only play for the club again if there is an injury crisis. The Frenchman is believed to have turned down potential loan moves before the window shut in the summer and remains determined to force his way back into the club’s first team despite the signing of Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip in the summer.
Another player who seems far from happy this season is Daniel Sturridge, who has been forced to compete with the likes of Roberto Firmino, Phillipe Coutinho and Sadio Mane for a starting role under Jurgen Klopp. Now, Calciomercato report that West Ham, Sunderland and Stoke City are all monitoring the England international’s situation as he appears to grow unsettled and frustrated with the lack of first team action on offer to him as he hopes to make a comeback after an injury hit few seasons.
To date, there is no suggestion that the Reds, or Klopp, are open to the idea of selling their forward who has featured and is valued by the German manager. With only midtable to bottom half clubs currently monitoring him, the move may not appeal to Sturridge, but first team football may tempt him into considering a move. Having overcome his injury nightmares, he does have an Anfield future, but he may have to settle for a role on the bench unless he can earn a starting place with good form.
Outgoing CEO Ian Ayre has also spoke to confirm that the club does have plans to redevelop the Anfield Road end of the Reds’ home stadium, but that they will not reveal plans or begin work until they are “ready to deliver”. He told the FC Business magazine:
“The way we managed the Main Stand expansion was great and we will continue in a similar vein to be cautious and not promise anything until we are ready to deliver. We will come along with planning if and when we have the right design and economic model. Once we have these parts in place, we will let people know.”
The development work would see the club boost the capacity of Anfield further, having expanded from 45,000 to 54,000 with the development of the Main Stand which took place this summer.
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