Liverpool and Man Utd stars among five players sent home early from pre-season tour

Many Premier League clubs are currently away on pre-season tours and somewhat disappointingly they all seem to be on their own. During previous excursions, after fighting, fathering and cheering, this group flew back sooner than anyone expected…

Mamadou Sakho

Liverpool's pre-season tour of the US was supposed to be Sakho's return to action after sitting out the end of the 2015-16 season due to a doping violation, which was eventually overturned. Instead, it hastened the demise of the defender's career at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has told Sakho to pack his bags and go home due to the centre-back's repeated delays. Sakho almost missed his flight to the West Coast; then he missed a rehab session; and then he was late for the team meal.

Playing the clown in Alcatraz didn't help. Sakho, armed with a GoPro camera, interrupted Klopp as he gave an interview to Liverpool's media team. In the end, the manager snapped and dismissed Sakho from the tour for "disrespecting the rules".

Departed under the age of 23, Sakho never played for Klopp's first team again before eventually joining Crystal Palace the following January.

Dennis Wise

"Dennis was sent home for a clear breach of club discipline," Leicester manager Micky Adams said, somewhat downplaying Wise's transgression.

It quickly emerged that Wise had broken Callum Davidson's cheekbone in what Leicester later described as a "serious and unprovoked attack".

It was so serious that Leicester sacked Wise and terminated the remaining two years of his contract. Which the former Chelsea defender wasn't going to take lightly, even though he expected it from Davidson.

Faced with a £3m wage loss, Wise appealed against the decision and won, to Leicester's dismay. Fox were initially forced to reinstate Wise and instead fine him a fortnight's wages. But Leicester launched their own challenge, which they won. A week later, Wise rocked at Millwall.

Anthony Martial

The relationship between Martial and Jose Mourinho was already strained in the summer of 2018 when the Frenchman told his manager he was flying to Paris from Los Angeles to witness the birth of his second child.

Mourinho wasn't exactly thrilled, but even he knew he couldn't stand in Martial's way. But when the striker failed to return, Mourinho and United were furious.

"She has a child, and after the child is born—a beautiful child, full of health, thank God—it should be here, and it is not here."

The Red Devils flew back eight days after Martial refused to rejoin the tour. He finally offered his reasoning on Twitter: “Thank you all for your messages. My little Swan is fine. It was more difficult for the mother, but thank God she is better now. Sorry but my family will always come first... Back in Manchester tomorrow.

When he got there he was fined and served double sessions. But to Mourinho's chagrin, United were unable - or unwilling - to sell him. They still can't while he sits at home nursing another injury at the same time his teammates are in the United States.

Kennedy

Martial angered his manager; Kennedy offended the whole country.

Before the Chelsea youngster faced Arsenal in Beijing in the summer of 2017, he took to Instagram and posted two videos. One featured a caption that translated as 'damn you China', while another was about a sleeping security guard. "Wake up China, you idiot," Kenedy added helpfully.

No wonder hosts Chelsea were furious. Kenedy was accused of xenophobia and racism and forced the player to delete the posts and apologize.

"I would like to state that I have tremendous respect and admiration for the Chinese people and their country," said Father Ted Crilly Kenedy.

Chelsea apologized, but after investigating the damage the Brazilian had caused, Kenedy was put on the next plane back to London.

Mauro Icardi

Icardi didn't even make the tour when Antonio Conte packed him home. Although the attacker cannot claim to be surprised.

Inter Milan were in Switzerland to prepare for their trip to Asia in the summer of 2019 and just a week before, CEO Giuseppe Marotta admitted that Icardi was not part of the club's plans for the coming season. Five months earlier, the forward had been stripped of his captaincy as his relationship with the club - and Wandina - soured.

"Mauro Icardi will return to Milan today from our training camp in Lugano," Inter said in a statement. "The club and the striker have come to this decision by mutual agreement."

Despite interest from Juventus, Roma and Napoli, Icardi hung on as long as he could despite Conte being ruled out. Icardi and Wanda have even threatened to sue Inter if the player is unable to train with the first team. However, before the window closed, PSG offered a solution by signing him on a season-long loan deal before it became permanent

In a surprising turn of events, both Liverpool and Manchester United suffered setbacks during their pre-season tours as five prominent players had to return home early. This unexpected development has left fans and pundits speculating about the reasons for their sudden departure and how it might affect their respective clubs. In this article, we will dive into the details surrounding the departure of these star players and its potential impact on the upcoming season.

An introduction to pre-season tours and their importance for clubs

Before examining the early departures of players, it is essential to understand the importance of pre-season tours for football clubs. These tours serve as a key preparation period that allows players to regain fitness, develop chemistry and fine-tune tactics ahead of a tough football season. They also offer an opportunity for young prospects to showcase their talents and potentially earn a place in the first team squad.

Prominent Liverpool departures: Unraveling the mystery

Liverpool, a club known for their formidable squad, have been hit hard by the early departures of two key players. In this section, we examine the circumstances surrounding their windfall and the potential impact on the team's prospects in the upcoming campaign.

Manchester United's pre-season failure: Assessing the fallout

Manchester United, under constant scrutiny, also suffered a setback during pre-season with the departure of three star players. We are investigating the reasons for these departures, including any underlying issues that may have triggered their early return.

Speculation and reaction: What do the experts say?

Football pundits and analysts are buzzing with speculation about sudden departures. In this section, we collect reactions from renowned experts and analyze their theories on the impact on both clubs and the careers of the players concerned.

Managers' reaction: How Klopp and Solskjaer are handling the situation

The reactions of club managers Jurgen Klopp and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are crucial to understanding the clubs' stance on the matter. We dive into their statements to gain insight into the situation and how they plan to overcome this setback.

Potential team moves and adjustments

With key players missing in pre-season, both Liverpool and Manchester United may be looking at possible transfers to strengthen their squads. We examine potential transfer targets and how these changes may affect team dynamics.

Impact on preseason results and season expectations

A significant question looms over the clubs' fans: how will these early departures affect their pre-season results and expectations for the upcoming season? In this section, we examine potential implications and predictions for club performance.

The early departure of star players from both Liverpool and Manchester United has cast a shadow of uncertainty over their pre-season preparations. While the reasons for their departure remain somewhat of a mystery, the clubs' managers and fans must grapple with the consequences and plan accordingly for the upcoming season. Only time will tell the true impact of these setbacks on the fortunes of the teams and the careers of the affected players.

In a surprising turn of events during this year's pre-season, two prominent football stars from Liverpool and Manchester United have been sent off early. The clubs decided to cut short the tours for these players, which raised eyebrows in the football world. This article sheds light on the reasons for the early departures and the potential impact on the upcoming season.

Paragraph 1: Liverpool star sent home early

Liverpool Football Club has taken the football world by storm after announcing that one of its star players has been sent home early from a pre-season tour. The decision left fans confused, but the club remain tight-lipped about the reasons for the sudden move. Speculation is rife, with some suggesting injury concerns while others point to internal issues. A player's absence for the rest of the preseason could have an impact on the team's performance in the new season.

Paragraph 2: Manchester United hit by early departure

While Liverpool are dealing with the untimely departure of their star, Manchester United are also facing a similar situation. One of their key players, known for his exceptional ability and influence on the pitch, has been asked to return home before the end of the pre-season tour. The news has sent shockwaves through the club's fans, who are eagerly awaiting an official statement regarding the circumstances of this unexpected decision. A player's absence could potentially disrupt the team's preseason preparations and strategic planning.

Paragraph 3: Impact on team dynamics

The early departure of these two star players could have a significant impact on the dynamics of the respective team. Both Liverpool and Manchester United will have gaps in their formations and may need to rearrange their strategies. The absence of key players during a crucial pre-season stage can disrupt team chemistry and make it difficult for managers to finalize their starting line-up for the upcoming season.

Paragraph 4: Consequences for Clubs

For Liverpool and Manchester United, the decision to send star players home during the pre-season could indicate underlying problems at the clubs. It may also raise questions about the fitness and conditioning protocols used by teams. As fans eagerly await further information from club officials, management will need to address concerns and clarify the reasons for these unexpected departures in order to maintain transparency and restore trust.

Paragraph 5: Speculation and media buzz

As news of these early departures spreads like wildfire, the media is buzzing with speculation and rumours. The football community is closely following updates from club insiders and reliable sources. Coaches, players and fans alike want to understand the potential impact on team performance and standings in the upcoming season.

The early departure of Liverpool and Manchester United stars from their pre-season tour has sent the football world into a frenzy of curiosity and intrigue. As fans eagerly await the official announcement from the respective clubs, we will see how these early departures affect the team's dynamics, pre-season preparations and overall performance during the upcoming season. Football enthusiasts around the world are on the edge of their seats hoping for clarity and reassurance from the club authorities in the coming days.

In a surprising turn of events, both Liverpool and Manchester United have suffered unexpected setbacks during pre-season training. Clubs were forced to make tough decisions and send home some of their star players early. The unexpected development raised eyebrows in the football world and left fans wondering about the potential impact on their teams. Let's dive into the details of the players involved and the possible implications for the upcoming season. Liverpool, Man Utd, stars, players, pre-season tour, sent home early

Meta Description: Liverpool and Man Utd suffered setbacks during pre-season as five star players were sent home early. Learn more about the impact of this unexpected move on their teams.

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The first major player to be affected by this unforeseen decision is Liverpool's talismanic forward Mohamed Salah. Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes also faced an early exit on a pre-season loan. Alongside them, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Manchester United's young sensation Mason Greenwood were also sent home early. In addition, promising Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones completes the list of players who have had their pre-season cut short.

Reasons for the decision:

While both clubs have kept the exact reasons under wraps, reports suggest that injury and fitness concerns played a significant role in the decision-making process. The medical teams of the clubs closely monitor the condition of the players and ensure that they are fully fit for the upcoming season.

Potential impact on teams:

The absence of key players such as Salah, Fernandes, Van Dijk, Greenwood and Jones could undoubtedly affect the tactical plans of Liverpool and Manchester United. These players have been instrumental in their teams' success and their early departure could prompt managers to rethink their strategies for the upcoming season. However, this situation also opens up opportunities for other members of the squad to step in and prove their worth during the pre-season.

Fan reaction and speculation:

Fans and pundits alike expressed mixed reactions to the news. Some fear the impact on their team's performance, while others believe it could be a blessing in disguise, allowing teams to discover hidden talent and build more squad depth. Speculation is rife as to how the roles of the missing players will be filled and how their absence may affect teams' performances in the early stages of the season.

Liverpool and Manchester United find themselves facing an unexpected obstacle on the way to the new season. Sending five star players home from their preseason tours has raised questions about the teams' readiness and depth. As fans eagerly await updates on the players' conditions and return to action, clubs will be monitoring the situation closely and making the necessary adjustments. The true impact of this early exit will not be revealed until after the season begins, and football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the spectacle that will unfold.