Liverpool boss hails ‘outstanding’ Sakho

Mamadou Sakho made his first appearance of the season for Liverpool on Thursday night.

The French centre-half stepped into the fray for the Europa League opener against Bordeaux in his home country and came through with flying colours in the absence of Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren.

Of the showing from Sakho, who took the captain's armband in a very youthful Reds line-up, Rodgers said: "He was certainly outstanding in his performance.

"He knows he's had to be patient and his attitude has been first-class. We won our first few games, our performance was good, so it was difficult up until the international break for him to play.

"But he's trained very well and remained very professional, done his extra work on his fitness and you see tonight he has got his rewards for that.

"So he certainly comes into the reckoning for the weekend."

Liverpool, who drew 1-1 with Bordeaux, now look ahead to Sunday's home meeting with Norwich City.