Sakho felt like a caged lion

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho admits he was left frustrated and felt like a lion in captivity during parts of Brendan Rodgers tenure at the club.

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho admits he was left frustrated and felt like a lion in captivity during parts of Brendan Rodgers tenure at the club.

Dejan Lovren started as the preferred center-back partner to Martin Skrtl under Rodgers but, after a few erratic performances from the Croatian, Sakho was restored to the line-up in the Europa league fixture against Bordeaux last week and the weekend's Merseyside derby.

"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," the 25-year old told French newspaper, L'Equipe.

Sakho also spoke of his admiration of former captain Steven Gerrard and how the Liverpool legend has continued to support him even after leaving the club.

"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.

"He texted me to congratulate me, he said: 'Continue to fight like that, I'm proud of you.'

"Its always nice to receive such a message from a great player."

Sakho joined the Reds in September 2013 for a fee of £18 million and has made 50 official appearances for the club since making his debut against Swansea.