Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has spoken of his excitement from what he has seen of his new signings in training this week, saying Mamadou Sakho “looks like an absolute monster in training”.
The Reds regrouped after the international break and Rodgers has introduced his transfer deadline day signings – Victor Moses, Tiago Ilori and Sakho – to their new teammates.
French international Sakho and Portuguese defender Ilori will provide new options for Rodgers in Liverpool’s defence, adding to the earlier acquisitions of Kolo Toure from Manchester City and Aly Cissokho from Valencia.
Ahead of Monday night’s Premier League clash against Swansea City, Rodgers told press why it was so important to bring in strong replacements for the retired Jamie Carragher.
He said, “I wanted to try and protect the present and the future of the club. Good centre-halves are so hard to find.
“You look at some teams and they have ageing centre-halves because it is a struggle to get a really good one.
“We were fortunate in that two became available. One we had been tracking for a year in Tiago Ilori, a young talent who can be a big talent. He is 6ft 3in, super quick, powerful, can jump.
“He just needs to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. He is one for the future but he can be a really big talent.
“Sakho is 23 but he is an experienced player, he has senior international caps and looks an absolute monster in training. He is one who is ready for now and that is what we want.
“We had a chance to protect the club for maybe the next 10 years and that is what we have done.”
Two weeks ago when Liverpool beat Manchester United 1-0 at Anfield, Martin Skrtel replaced Toure alongside Daniel Agger in Liverpool’s defence due to Toure’s ankle injury.
Skrtel played a blinding performance, and now, still at Liverpool despite rumours linking him with a move to Napoli, Rodgers sees Skrtel’s chances of competing for first team football as high as anyone else’s.
He added, “They [Liverpool’s defenders] will get their chance. Martin Skrtel took his chance and that is their job. Every day in training I assess who is on form and who has the desire to be in the team. It is not a problem.”
Swansea vs Liverpool gets underway at 8pm tonight. It’s live on Sky Sports in the UK and we will have live text commentary worldwide.
For the latest team news and build-up, have a read of our Swansea vs Liverpool Match Preview.
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