West Brom closing in on loan deal for Liverpool’s forgotten man

Despite Liverpool flying high in the Premier League, this has not been a happy campaign for defender Mamadou Sakho. But despite being frozen out by boss Jurgen Klopp, the Frenchman could be playing regular football again by January – with West Bromwich Albion.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis is reportedly ready to bring the 26-year-old in on loan, to shore up a defence which has failed to keep a clean sheet in the last eight games, shipping four goals to Manchester City in their last home game.

There’s no question Sakho has a huge amount of quality, having been one of the key men as PSG ended their 19-year wait for a title back in 2013, with his combination of strength, size and aerial ability making him a nightmare for forwards.

But he’s struggled to recreate his best form at Anfield, having failed to hold down a consistent place in the starting XI under either Klopp or Brendan Rodgers, with a string of high-profile mistakes hindering his chances on Merseyside.

It’s unsurprising, then, that the Ligue 1 winner is reportedly open to a move, though a temporary one is believed to be his preference, with that elusive first-team spot at Anfield still the player’s goal.

Regaining a regular place at international – as well as club level – will also be a big motivator for the Parisian powerhouse, who starred as France reached the knockouts at World Cup 2014, but hasn’t played a competitive game for Les Bleus since.

Regular game-time would definitely boost his chances, and there’s little doubt he’d slot straight into a West Brom side whose current defence contains hard-working but unspectacular figures like Allan Nyom and Craig Dawson.

With the international break meaning there’s no club action this weekend, Pulis could continue to edge closer to bringing Mahmadou to the Midlands in the coming days.

West Brom are next in action against Burnley, with the Baggies 17/20 to boing their way to back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season.

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