Wednesday 13 July 2016 17:42, UK
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says defender Mamadou Sakho may be unavailable for the Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 14.
The 26-year-old France international has been receiving treatment for a long-standing Achilles problem and will not be able to train for three to four weeks.
Sakho has not played since April after he tested positive for a 'fat burner' and served an initial 30-day suspension, meaning he was forced to miss Liverpool's Europa League final loss and Euro 2016.
UEFA dismissed the case against Sakho last week but Klopp says the player will be on the sidelines for a month or so.
"Mama had a little issue with his Achilles when he was playing, one day on, one off, this kind of thing," said Klopp.
"When he had his little 'break' he used the time to have a little bit of treatment and that now means another three or four weeks before he can train again.
"There was no surgery, he is just not about to train at the moment. He has got some rehab of course and it's not too good a situation for him, for us, everybody.
"It's not important what I could say because everyone thinks the same. He's here, he's not available at the moment, but he is doing rehab."
Following the dismissal of the anti-doping charge against Sakho, Klopp was tight-lipped on whether the matter was now at an end.
"I cannot say too much as a manager," said Klopp. "I don't know exactly what will happen now from Mama's side or UEFA's side.
"Others have to talk about this, because I don't know what I am allowed or able to say."
With Sakho struggling to be fit, fellow centre-back Martin Skrtel is nearing a switch to Fenerbahce.
The 31-year-old was pictured holding a Fenerbahce scarf at Istanbul Airport and he told reporters he expects to finalise his switch on Wednesday.
With Skrtel nearing a departure, Sakho currently injured and Kolo Toure having recently been released, Klopp is light in that area even after acquiring Joel Matip from Schalke already this summer.
