He was included in the squad that travelled to Palo Alto in California last week but it is believed manager Jurgen Klopp decided to send the centre-back home after question marks were raised about his attitude around the camp.

The Reds boss ordered Sakho to return to the club's Melwood training ground to continue his rehabilitation from his injury.

Two other injured players, Joe Gomez (who also has an Achilles injury) and Lucas Leiva (hamstring), remain with the group.

Liverpool have not commented on the reasons for Sakho's departure ahead of their first friendly in the United States against Chelsea on Wednesday night (local time).

They confirmed, however, he will be continuing his rehabilitation at the club's Melwood training base and is working towards returning.

Sakho has endured a somewhat turbulent last three months after failing a drugs test back in April - meaning he missed the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla and Euro 2016 because of an interim suspension - only for UEFA to drop the case after deciding the fat-burning substance he took should not be included on their banned list.

Sakho flew back to England with fellow defender Brad Smith, who is set to complete a move to Bournemouth after a £6m deal was agreed over the weekend for the back-up left-back.

Another, albeit temporary, departure has seen Liverpool's young Brazilian midfielder Allan Rodrigues de Souza join Hertha Berlin on loan.

The German club Tweeted a picture of their "new face at the start of the training week" with the 19-year-old, who has had loan spells at Finnish side SJK and Belgian club Sint-Truidense as he does not yet qualify for a UK work permit, in his new kit.