Sakho felt like a ‘caged lion’ at Rodgers’ Reds

Matt Stead

Brendan Rodgers’ refusal to play Mamadou Sakho left the Liverpool defender feeling like a “caged lion”.

Sakho started the season out of favour under now ousted boss Rodgers, with Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel preferred as the central defensive partnership before the former suffered an injury and the 25-year-old will surely be one of five players to benefit from the Northern Irishman’s sacking.

The Frenchman started his first game of the season last month against Bordeaux in the Europa League and impressed as captain, while he has since reprised his role at the heart of the defence for the Reds in the Premier League.

Speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe, Sakho admits he felt like “a caged lion” during his time out of the Liverpool squad.

“Let’s say that during the short period when I was not playing, I was like a little caged lion who has not fed for a while,” Sakho explained.

“(Like a caged lion) when you open the door: he charges.”

Sakho also revealed that former team-mate and captain Steven Gerrard sent a message of congratulations to the defender and spoke of his ‘pride’ after seeking Sakho captain the club.

“He often sends me small text messages like after my first match of the season at Bordeaux, in the Europa League, with the captain armband,” said Sakho.

“He texted me to congratulate me, he said: ‘Continue to fight like that, I’m proud of you.’

“It’s always nice to receive such a message from a great player.”