Mamadou Sakho to Return In "Four to Six Weeks"

Mamadou Sakho is clearly a fan favourite and key player for Liverpool. The commanding and inspirational defender suffered a knee injury just before the international break against Crystal Palace but brought good news after winning the club's Player of the Month award for October,.

Sakho told the club's official site that he could be back before the end of the year, giving supporters something else to think about after another Daniel Sturridge injury setback. Sakho isn't the most durable player either, which means that two key players might not always be available. Nonetheless, the award was a fine way for supporters to acknowledge how important Sakho was in Jürgen Klopp's first month at Liverpool and provided an opportunity for the 25-year-old to speak about his rehabilitation from injury.

"I’m very happy because I think it’s good news," Sakho said after receiving his award. "Everyone thought I had a big injury for a long time.  But, thank God, I think it will be between four and six weeks. We will see the evolution. Now I feel much better, I work and I hope I will come back as soon as possible.  For me, it’s not difficult. I take my injury like that because I can change nothing. I know which way I have to go, which road I have to take.  I have the objective to come back as soon as possible, as strong as possible. When I come back I will try to give my best like before."

It's somewhat comforting that Martin Škrtel put in an outstanding performance at the Etihad in the absence of Sakho, and the Europa League clash with Bordeaux tested Liverpool's defensive depth further when Škrtel fell ill. Dejan Lovren stepped up without Sakho or Škrtel to help Liverpool to qualify for the Europa League knock-out rounds. The reaction to the defender's injury hasn't been as troublesome as it may have appeared during the international break, but the fact remains that Liverpool are better with Sakho in the side.

While recovering in France, Sakho appreciated the spirit shown over the weekend in Liverpool's resounding 4-1 victory over Manchester City. Unsurprisingly, the focus from the French international was on the team.

"I watched the game," he said. "I was in Clairefontaine in France and I watched the game on TV. I felt really proud about the team – it was a really good job. We played really strong and showed the team. Everyone felt the same. The most important thing is the team – everyone has to give 100 per cent."