Player of the Month Sakho thanks wife, mum, physio

Matt Stead

Mamadou Sakho has thanked his wife, his mum and his physio after being named Liverpool’s Player of the Month for October.

Sakho was in excellent form for the Reds in October, making six appearances in all competitions, with the club conceding just five goals.

The Frenchman emerged as perhaps the club’s leading central defender under new manager Jurgen Klopp, before injury cut short his run of form earlier this month.

Upon being named Liverpool’s Player of the Month for October, Sakho said: “I feel very happy. I have to say thank you to all of the fans and thanks to all of the players, because [if I was] alone on the pitch I couldn’t do anything!

“Thanks to the people who work around me, my physio and my wife – who help me to play well. Thanks to my mum because she prays for me every day. Thanks to all.

“My message is that I’m very happy. Thank you for the votes for me. I have said before that this year I will try to show the real Sakho.

“I think I have shown a little bit but I hope for them and for me the best is coming. I will try to keep the same level and work hard to try to play better, because everyone can play better. I will try to give my best again.”

Sakho continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury sustained against Crystal Palace at the beginning of November, and he hopes to return early in the New Year.

“I’m very disappointed because I wanted to give 100 per cent all the time for the team and the new manager,” he said.

“But it’s life – sometimes you have to accept what God decides for you. I stay calm and work hard to try to come back faster, to be ready for the team. That is my only thinking now.”