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Mamadou Sakho says he is a "Liverpool soldier" who is always ready to do his best for the club. Sakho, 25, excelled in his first start of the season as a youthful Liverpool lineup drew 1-1 against Bordeaux in their opening Europa League group game. The centre-back was one of eight changes to the side that lost at Manchester United last weekend and the France international jumped on his chance to impress. "I'm always ready," he told L'Equipe. "I'm working and I'm a Liverpool soldier. And, when you call on me, I always rise to the challenge." Liverpool spent a reported £12 million to sign Sakho from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day in September 2013 but they have preferred Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren in defence so far this season. The club hope that the former PSG player will sign a new contract, however, after they rejected approaches from Roma and Bayer Leverkusen this summer. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers said Sakho's performance against Bordeaux meant he would now have to be considered for their weekend game against Norwich. "Sakho was immense at the back," Rodgers said. "He knows he has had to be patient and his attitude has been first class. "He has trained very well, kept professional, done his extra work on his fitness and he has got his rewards for that. "He certainly comes into the reckoning for the weekend [against Norwich]." Liverpool were disappointed to be pegged back in France after Adam Lallana's second-half goal as academy graduate Pedro Chirivella made his debut in a side whose average was 21.7. However, Sakho felt a point was acceptable considering the team that Rodgers had selected. "It's a good point," he said. "This evening you saw a young Liverpool lineup and a lot of players rose to the occasion. "We played very well and took a positive point away from home."
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