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3 Potential Replacements for Liverpool to Consider for Mamadou Sakho
- Updated: May 7, 2016
Liverpool were rocked by the shock suspension of key centre-back Mamadou Sakho at the end of April, with the Frenchman testing positive for a banned substance following the Reds’ 1-1 draw away to Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League in March, as reported by BBC Sport.
Sakho was immediately left out of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team thinking, with UEFA and then FIFA imposing a 30-day suspension while investigations take place, with the Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce revealing that he “could be banned for anything from six months to two years.”
In the short term, this leaves the likes of Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel to step in to provide cover in Klopp’s back line, with the duo alternating as partner to first-choice centre-back Dejan Lovren since Sakho’s suspension.
But whether Sakho is to face six months or two years on the sidelines, Klopp is likely to seek a replacement this summer—be that short or long term—with the German telling reporters including the Press Association (h/t the Daily Mail) in April that “one of the biggest targets for the next season” is improving his defence.
Both club and supporters will be hoping for a swift return for Sakho, but Klopp must plan for the worst at this stage.
So who could Liverpool seek to replace Sakho this summer? Here are three potential targets.
Nicolas N’Koulou (Marseille)
With Cameroon international Joel Matip poised to arrive ahead of 2016/17 on a free transfer from Schalke, Liverpool could look to repeat this move and target his international team-mate, Nicolas N’Koulou.
N’Koulou is set to leave Marseille on the expiry of his contract this summer, with French outlet Foot Mercato (h/t the Express) most recently linking the 26-year-old with Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City.
A strong, front-footed centre-back who has averaged more interceptions per 90 league minutes this season (3.3) than any of Klopp’s current …
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