Adopted Scouser Sakho to ‘give everything for scouse nation’

Rob Conlon
Mamadou Sakho: Loving it at Liverpool

Mamadou Sakho: Loving it at Liverpool

Mamadou Sakho says he feels like a scouser and is relishing a return to Liverpool action over the busy festive period.

France defender Sakho joined the Reds from PSG in 2013 but has largely been in and out of the starting XI ever since.

However, despite starting the season on the bench, the 25-year-old forced his way into the side – captaining the team against Bordeaux in the Europa League – and appears to be highly rated by new boss Jurgen Klopp.

“Now I’m a scouser and I give everything for the scouse nation,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

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“Wearing the armband for the first time meant a lot to me because of the great history of this club and the legendary captains that have been here.

“But my approach is always the same. Whether I have an armband or not, I always give everything for the team and the club.

Sakho has not appeared since the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at the start of November due to knee ligament damage, but is targeting a return at Watford on Sunday.

Although he is used to having a mid-season break at Christmas, the 27-times capped international says he is jumping at the prospect of six matches in only 20 days.

“In most countries football stops around Christmas. Here in England it is the opposite,” he added.

“I think it’s one of the reasons why the Premier League is so attractive. It’s great for the fans. The day after Christmas dinner they can sit down to watch the games and eat the leftovers. That is very enjoyable, particularly if they see us winning.”