http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/174255-mamadou-i-m-getting-there-little-by-little Mamadou Sakho believes he can flourish at Liverpool as he continues to settle into life in the city â and the Frenchman is determined to display his leadership qualities when he returns to action over the coming weeks. Sakho has not featured for the Reds since picking up a thigh strain during the pulsating Capital One Cup win over Middlesbrough on September 23, and has now been sidelined for the club's last 10 games in all competitions. The Frenchman, who arrived in the summer of 2013, has made just four starts for Brendan Rodgers' side this season - but the 24-year-old believes he has a part to play for the Reds once fully recovered. "I am still in my learning phase," he told Champions Magazine. "Little by little I'll start to open up even more because when you don't speak a language well enough, it's difficult to show your character; it's difficult to communicate. "But it will come, little by little. I've improved my English. I understand a lot better, especially the local Scouse accent. I'm still working. "I've been spending afternoons with the kids [at the Liverpool FC Foundation] regularly since I arrived. I am always happy to give French lessons and share some sport sessions with them. It's important for them and me." Sakho became Paris Saint-Germain's youngest-ever captain when he was handed the armband on his league debut as a 17-year-old Academy graduate against Valenciennes in October 2007 - and to this day, it's a record the centre-back is immensely proud of. While he insists much has changed during the seven years since he skippered his boyhood club for the first time, the Reds' No.17 believes he retains the inspirational qualities which marked him out for the responsibility at such a tender age. "The moment will stay with me forever," he said. "But in football you need to move on. I am not 17 anymore, I am 24. My career is different now. Everything I've accomplished has helped me gather experience but now I must move on and look forward. "For me it [leadership] comes naturally. There are different kinds of leaders - technical leaders, dressing room leaders, psychological leaders. "I'd rather keep my personal objectives to myself so people don't think I'm too pretentious. But I am a very ambitious person, I have set personal objectives, the team has set some too and they are quite similar."
Cannot wait for his return - such an underrated quality and has taken a lot of stick for his 'style' whilst other clowns like Skrtel get away with it.
Where's 'there' then? As far away from Anfield as possible on the same walk he began when he left the derby early to get a head start?? Wish i could share that same optimism about any of our CBs, Skrtel, Lovren, Sakho, they all look vulnerable, lost, uncertain and make idiotic decisions constantly. Unless you're being sarcastic. Can't believe how much money we've thrown at that backline and its still absolutely shambolic. One solid performance from Toure (out of 21 appearances) excepted.
The lad is quality and we got him for £18m which is a bargain for me - for a player who will become world class in the next few years. He is fixture in that France team which boasts one of the best defences - should bear in mind that he quality next to him (Varane), behind him (Lloris), and powerhouses in front of him (Matuidi, Pogba).
Nah Newcastle buy inconstant French players, note how well they are playing at the moment but at the first sign of a loss all that form will vanish. Those mentioned are top quality, way out of our price range. Between France and Germany at the 2016 Euros
Few shaky moments but the guy has obvious potential. Probably pne of the best with the ball despite looking awkward. Passes the ball forward and quickly to our own players, but and string in the air. Just needs someone alongside him to keep him in check and unfortunately Toure is the best player at that. Can't see BR dropping both Skrtel and Lovren to accommodate it though
first... he needs a chance second he needs to take it with both hands third he needs to stay fit all three are in question. lets see what he does.
Can't argue that he looks unorthadox but he's far more composed on the ball than people give him credit for.
Very lazy comparison (for obvious reasons). But fair enough, that is your opinion. I just feel the lad is harshly criticised because of the way he looks. Whilst his positioning, recovery pace, covering intelligence, aerial ability, passing are all overlooked.
The difference is that Lovren is unbelievably indulged (made more mistake that any other Prem defender, I read today), whereas every time Sakho gets it wrong he's dropped for weeks. Play him and stick with him and let Lovren sweat it out on the bench and the reserves.
