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In late August, reports flew around concerning Mamadou Sakho's contract. Although Liverpool's finest centre back was left on the bench so that Dejan Lovren could receive a confidence boost like a youngster, Sakho was reportedly offered a new deal.
Dejan Lovren's calamities might sound like a name for the world's most delusional band, but an error-strewn performance before the international break should have led to Mamadou Sakho returning to the side against Manchester United. Rodgers insisted that Sakho remained an important part of his plans for Liverpool before the French international showed exactly why that had to be the case with a confident performance as captain against Bordeaux.
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Today news has emerged that following all this unnecessary Hip-Hop two-stepping and James Brown shuffling, Sakho's representatives are in Liverpool to agree fresh terms that will tie the former Paris-Saint Germain defender to the Merseyside club until 2020. Given that the 25-year-old hasn't yet started a league game, is this a curious move for a player with two years left on his current deal?
Martin Škrtel and Dejan Lovren are simply inferior defensive options yet continue to enjoy the confidence from Brendan Rodgers that Sakho, for whatever unknown reason, fails to inspire. Fitness may be a concern but quality should override that. Rodgers rightly described Sakho as "immense" after the Europa League draw away to Bordeaux and probably will start against Norwich City.
Nonetheless, this is good news for Liverpool fans. A player in his prime who possesses experience, composure, heart, humility, leadership, defensive excellence, and responsibility must be kept. It appears that those qualities are being recognised, but regular football along with a contract extension would be the best way to show trust in a player who doesn't deserve to be an understudy to mediocrity.
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