Mamadou Sakho signs new long-term contract with Liverpool

Liverpool have announced that defender Mamadou Sakho has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

Sakho moved to Anfield from Paris Saint-Germain in 2013 and wore the captain’s armband for the first time in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League draw in Bordeaux.

SEE MORE: Liverpool youth earn result in France.

The 25-year-old told Liverpool’s official website:

“I am very happy to sign a long-term contract with Liverpool because, as I’ve always said, I am very happy here and my family are happy in Liverpool.

“It is important for me because every day when I wake up, I am very happy to come into the training ground with all the players.”

The news will be welcomed by under-pressure Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who said Sakho was in contention to start in Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Norwich.

Speaking before the news was formally announced, Rodgers said:

“He (Sakho) is really working hard on his fitness and his game and I think you have seen the benefits of that.

“He was left out of the last France squad and you can go one of two ways – you can sulk, or you can put your head down and work even harder, and that is what he has done.

“I think you can see that in his performance last night. I thought he was brilliant in the game and that is what we want, so he has certainly brought himself into contention for the weekend.”