Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has not totally shut the door on Mamadou Sakho's Liverpool career after the Frenchman joined Crystal Palace on loan during the January transfer window.

The 26-year-old had not played for the Liverpool first-team since April of last year before completing his Deadline Day move to Selhurst Park having had a number of problems at the club, including a doping ban (for which he was eventually cleared of wrongdoing) and a fall-out with Klopp himself in pre-season.

The former Dortmund manager, however, failed to rule out the possibility of an Anfield future for the controversial defender, saying (via ESPN):

"Who knows what [happens] in half a year?

"In this moment, he is on loan and that means he still has a contract at Liverpool."

The experienced defender was one of the few stand-out performers for Liverpool during 2015/16 in what was an altogether disappointing campaign but has been frozen out of the squad since the controversies.

A lot has changed now, though, and hence the issues that have kept him isolated at Anfield could soon be a thing of the past. If both he and the club can move past it, we think the Frenchman certainly deserves a future at Anfield and here are THREE reasons why...

Pettiness Aside

Part of the reason that Sakho was exiled from Liverpool was his failure to comply with the rules put in place by Klopp during the Reds' pre-season tour of the United States, which included being late for a flight and a team meal.

While that behaviour isn't ideal, having arguably your best defender shipped off to the reserves and then out on loan over something so petty is, for us, a foolish move. Keep in mind Sakho had already been excluded from the squad following a later dropped drugs case and hence may not have been in an excellent frame of mind.

Klopp should have managed the situation and the player better and now should atone for his mistake by giving Sakho another chance at Anfield. After all, his stats (above) from last season are mightily impressive.

Faltering Defence

Liverpool's record since the turn of the year has been beyond poor and the Reds have looked a shadow of the side they did before Christmas, when many were calling them genuine title contenders. They won one of nine during January, and opened February with yet another defeat, this time at the hands of resurgent Hull City.

One of the main reasons for their lack of form is the constant failure of Klopp to fix what is clearly a faltering back four. Dejan Lovren and the once impressive Joel Matip have been poor, as have stand ins Ragnar Klavan and Lucas Leiva. While the full-backs haven't been brilliant either, the real issue lies in the centre, and Sakho could prove to be part of the answer to these woes.

If only they hadn't loaned him out.

Fans' Favourite

The Kop love nothing more than a player who gives their all for the side, and that is exactly why they fell in love with Sakho last year. The Frenchman could not once be faulted for his effort and endeavour, both defensively and when going forward to attack set plays.

'The Beast', as he his sometimes referred to, won the hearts of the Liverpool fans with his no-nonsense tackling and physical prowess, and the Frenchman seemed to thrive off the fans. Reds supporters are clearly not happy with their current crop of defenders, and we are sure there are many who would be more than pleased to see Sakho back in a red shirt again soon.

We recently asked Liverpool fans if Sakho deserves another chance at Anfield, and 82% think he does, showing his popularity.