Liverpool legend admits reservations over summer signing Sakho

Mamadou Sakho

Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has expressed his concern at Mamadou Sakho‘s performances at the heart of the Reds defence, claiming that the French defender needs to adapt his game to succeed in the Premier League.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has implemented a three-man defence in recent games after the loss of right-back Glen Johnson, but Nicol says that Sakho is not suited to playing in the middle of a back three.

“The one problem they [Liverpool] may have, for me, is having Mamadou Sakho in the middle of their back three.” Nicol told Talksport.

“Daniel Agger and Kolo Toure are solid but Sakho dives in too much. If you want to play a back three your middle guy has to be the calm guy who reads it all. I’m not sure Sakho is that.”

The Frenchman has impressed for Liverpool since joining from PSG in the summer as part of Rodgers’ defensive reinforcements, slotting straight in alongside Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel.

Contrary to Nicol’s observations, Sakho has excelled for the Reds – averaging a 89 per cent pass accruacy rate, winning all four of his tackles and a 61 per cent headed duel success rate so far this season.

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