Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho reveals he felt like a cadged lion under Brendan Rodgers in the earlier fixtures this season.

The French international was not considered by the Northern Irishman as he fielded Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren ahead of him in the heart of the back four. He had to wait till September 17 to make his first start of the season where he was fielded against Bordeaux in the Europa League match.

Sakho was leading the Reds in the European fixture as the Merseyside club settled for a 1-1 draw. A string of poor results in all competitions, especially in the Premier League saw Liverpool showed the exit door to Rodgers just hours after 1-1 draw against Everton in the derby at Goodison Park.

“Let’s say that during the short period when I was not playing, I was like a little caged lion who had not been fed for a while. And when you open the door, he charges,” Sakho told French publication L’Equipe.

The Anfield club are yet to find a replacement for Rodgers and former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is the firm favourite to replace him at Liverpool. Sakho will be hopeful he can enjoy success under the new incoming manager at Reds.

Meanwhile, the former Paris Saint-German defender also went on to reveal he is regular contact with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. The Anfield favourite ended his Reds career at the end of the last season and has joined Major League Soccer (MLS) side LA Galaxy earlier in the summer.

“Steven is an example. Also, he often sends me small text messages like after my first match of the season at Bordeaux, in the Europa League, with the captain’s armband,” the defender explained.

“He texted me to congratulate me. Continue to fight like that, I’m proud of you. It’s always nice to receive such a message from a great player.”