Mamadou Sakho has come into contention for a first Premier League appearance of the season after impressing manager Brendan Rodgers in the Europa League fixture against Bordeaux.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw in France, Rodgers credited Sakho’s performance and confirming that the commanding Frenchman could be involved at Anfield on Sunday.
BR: “Sakho was outstanding. He knows he had to be patient & his attitude has been first class. He comes into the reckoning for the weekend.”
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) September 17, 2015
Many fans have publicly condemned Rodgers for picking the unpopular Dejan Lovren over the ex-PSG defender, especially after Lovren’s haphazard display against West Ham in the last home fixture.
Sakho is reportedly considering his future, with the Independent claiming that the French international has delayed contract talks due to a lack of first-team action leading to his absence from the recent France squad.
With the 2016 European Championships being played in his home nation, Sakho may look to maximise his opportunities with the hope of displacing the likes of Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma and Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala in the national setup.
The decision to give the 25-year-old the captain’s armband ahead of Kolo Toure may have surprised some, but it could well be a sign of how Rodgers views Sakho’s role in Liverpool’s defensive future.
