Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho says he felt like a “caged lion” when he was left out of the side earlier this season by Brendan Rodgers.
The 25-year-old was inexplicably kept on the substitutes’ bench at the expense of Dejan Lovren at the start of the season, before eventually forcing his way back into the side after a Europa League game.
Rodgers was dismissed by the club on Sunday evening, following a poor start to the season, and Sakho has revealed how frustrated he was with his former manager making him sit on the sidelines.
Speaking to French media while on international duty this week, Sakho said:
“Let’s say that during the short period when I was not playing, I was like a little caged lion who had not been fed for a while. And when you open the door, he charges,” he said.
The France international also spoke about how supportive Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been to him recently, having been given the captain’s armband against Bordeaux.
“Steven is an example. Also, 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,” Sakho explained.
“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.”
Barrett: #Sakho's contract renewal was for me the first sign that #Rodgers's time was limited. #LFC
— LFCZA ?? (@LFCZA) October 6, 2015
Rodgers and Sakho’s relationship always appeared to be a little strained throughout the Ulsterman’s tenure, and he always seemed bizarrely reluctant to play his best centre-back regularly.
Whether that is because the ex-Paris Saint-Germain man was a transfer committee is open to interpretation.
The fact that FSG offered Sakho a new five-year deal last month, despite Rodgers’ clear issues with him, was a further sign that the 42-year-old was on his way out of the club.
FSG are reported to see Sakho, Emre Can and Alberto Moreno as key players in the future of the club.
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