Jurgen Klopp ready to sanction duo's exit despite Liverpool's defensive issues

Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori could become Liverpool's 16th and 17th departures of the summer transfer window, as Jurgen Klopp continues to trim his squad down. The defensive duo will be allowed to leave despite the club facing a crisis at the back, having conceded five goals in their first two games of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign.

The former, according to The Times, will be sent on loan as the German coach is keen on the Frenchman getting regular first-team games to recapture his form from last season. Sakho is seen as a key member of the squad, but after injury and lack of pre-season, he dropped down the pecking order at Anfield.

Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan are the manager's preferred choice at centre-back at the moment, with Joel Matip and Joe Gomez – reached full fitness after a long-term injury – providing backup. The France international is unlikely to get regular game time, and Klopp is ready to let him leave on a temporary basis to regain his confidence.

Sakho has not played a single game since he was suspended by the club following a doping allegation issued by Uefa. The alleged claim has since been dismissed and the defender was cleared of any wrongdoing. His future at the club also came into question after he was sent back midway through their pre-season tour of the United States for missing a training session and a team meal.

Klopp is said to be happy with the player's reaction after his recent infringement, but is keen for him to play on a regular basis. Roma are said to have shown interest in taking the former Paris Saint-Germain defender on loan.

Ilori, on the other hand, will be allowed to leave on a permanent basis after the Portugal U23 international failed to establish himself with the first-team under Brendan Rodgers or Klopp following his arrival in 2013, according to the Liverpool Echo. He has had loan spells with Bordeaux, Granada and most recently Aston Villa, but Liverpool are now looking to find a permanent solution.

Greek champions Olympiakos are said to be interested in signing him, but are still exploring a possibility of a loan deal, while the Reds are also aware of interest from Bundesliga clubs Eintracht Frankfurt and Freiburg.