Jurgen Klopp has warned Mamadou Sakho that his return to Liverpool’s first-team fold will not instantaneous after refusing to go on loan.
The France international’s Anfield career was severely disrupted after being suspended in April by UEFA over a failed Europa League drugs test.
Although he was later cleared, Sakho’s attempts to revive his Reds prospects were hampered by an Achilles injury that ruled him out of the start of the new season.
Klopp had urged the defender, 26, to pursue a short-term spell away from Liverpool in order to regain his fitness, with a host of Premier League clubs interested.
Despite numerous offers, however, Sakho resisted all approaches, from the likes of Stoke City, West Brom, Sunderland and even Turkish side Besiktas.
And the Liverpool manager has warned the former Paris Saint-Germain captain that he will have to bide his time before making a first-team comeback.
“In an open transfer window, you have to prepare decisions and for the situation after the window closes,” said Klopp.
“You have to think about a few things and when you do this, then you have to tell the players the truth.
“Of course after closing the window, the situation is then you cannot change the squad anymore.
“That’s what I did, not only with Mama but with all of the players, tell them what I think would be [for] the best.
“At this moment it’s about making Mama fit what he isn’t after this long time with suspension and injuries. Then we will see what happens.
“I have no idea what happens when because it’s about ‘who performs how’, our results, all that stuff. But at the end, Mama knows and I know from my side, that’s enough.”