Skrtel: Sakho has settled seamlessly
Mamadou Sakho has brought a powerful blend of youth and experience to Liverpool's defensive ranks, according to teammate Martin Skrtel.
Since the Frenchman made his debut against Swansea on September 16, Sakho and Skrtel have been regular starters at the heart of the Reds' defence.
The summer signing, who arrived on Merseyside from Paris Saint-Germain, has impressed his defensive partner with a string of solid performances.
Skrtel told Liverpoolfc.com: "He is still young but he's an experienced player. He's a French international and he's played many games for PSG.
"In the games he has started he has shown how good he is, he's fitted into the team well and he's doing well at the moment.
"I'm happy for him and happy for the team because he is a good player for us. I just hope things carry on this way."
If Skrtel and Sakho are looking solid at the back for Liverpool, one man who has unquestionably made a fine start to the season in the defensive stakes is Simon Mignolet.
The Belgian 'keeper endeared himself to the Kop immediately, when he pulled off a late double save on his debut to ensure the Reds beat Stoke at Anfield.
"We knew he was a good 'keeper before he came here and he's just showing that every day, whether it's in the training sessions or in the matches," said Skrtel.
"He's done brilliantly. He had a great start when he saved a penalty against Stoke and I think that's really helped him. And now he's showing that he is a world-class 'keeper."
At the opposite end of the pitch, Daniel Sturridge has been in sensational form for Liverpool so far this season.
Sturridge had raced to six goals in all competitions by the time Luis Suarez re-joined the squad for the Reds' 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
In two games since, the pair have conjured five goals between them - and Skrtel admits the duo are as deadly in training as they are in matches.
"Those two together is dangerous for every single team and every single defender," said the defender.
"It's very difficult to mark them because they are moving all the time and they are fast, strong and good with the ball.
"It's not comfortable to play against them and I think we can be happy that they are in our team and that we don't have to play against them."