Jurgen Klopp: 'Mamadou Sakho exclusion not that serious'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Mamadou Sakho's banishment from their side's pre-season tour is "not that serious".

The 26-year-old France international was sent home on Tuesday after being late on three separate occasions and interrupting his boss during an interview.

"We have some rules and we have to respect them," Klopp told a press conference after the Reds' 1-0 defeat against Chelsea in California.

"After eight days, when we come back, we can talk. But it's not that serious. We had no argument. You cannot argue when only one person is speaking."

Sakho joined Liverpool for £18m from Paris Saint-Germain in 2013 and has made 55 appearances for the Premier League side.