Sakho eyes return to European stage
The growing level of competition within the Liverpool ranks is a factor which defender Mamadou Sakho believes can hugely benefit the Reds in their challenge for a return to European football.
In claiming back-to-back victories at Anfield last week - with Norwich City and West Ham United successively put to the sword - Brendan Rodgers' side climbed to second place in the Barclays Premier League.
Sakho was handed a starting berth for the visit of the Hammers due to the absence of vice-captain Daniel Agger with illness, and grasped his opportunity with an eye-catching performance.
Since completing a switch to the club from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day, the 23-year-old has now made a total of nine appearances, despite having to contend with the wealth of defensive options at Rodgers' disposal.
The French international considers the amount of centre-back talent available to be a major positive, though, as he attempts to learn and the club searches for a continental comeback.
"I get on very well with all of them," Sakho told Liverpoolfc.com. "They are all experienced players and so I can only learn from working alongside them. As a youngster I can benefit from their experience.
"There is competition, but the most important thing is that all the players make themselves ready and available for the group, help the team to grow and help Liverpool get back onto the European stage.
"That said, of course I'm working really hard to earn my place in the side, like every player. It's been going well up to now.
"English football is different to the French league, it's quicker and more physical. But I think the settling-in period is going pretty well and my teammates have been helping me a lot."
The No.17 spent the entirety of his career in Paris before officially becoming a Liverpool player in September and beginning a new challenge following his time with Ligue 1 heavyweights PSG.
His adaptation to life on Merseyside has been helped by the presence of fellow French speakers Aly Cissokho and Kolo Toure, but the defender will require a while longer to get to grips with the local dialect.
He explained: "My English is better because I learn English all the time.
"But the Scouse accent is very difficult for me because when Scouse people talk to me, it's similar to the Dutch accent. They speak very quickly and it's very difficult for me!
"Having Aly Cisshoko and Kolo Toure here, who both speak French, has helped me a lot to settle in. But apart from them, all the other players have helped me to feel part of things - Daniel Sturridge and even Steven Gerrard have helped.
"That's the thing, Liverpool is such a family club that in my heart I feel really at home here. I feel good here in Liverpool; I'm very happy, we've got a great team.
"Liverpool people are really friendly and I like the city. My family are happy here too so I'm very pleased to be here."
Sakho was credited with his first goal in Liverpool colours when he forced home a finish from Gerrard's set-piece delivery during the 4-1 win over West Ham last weekend.
Given the attempts of teammate Martin Skrtel and visiting defender James Collins to get another touch on the ball before it crossed the line, there was confusion for those in attendance as to who had actually scored.
For the France international, though, something more important was at stake. Taking up the story, he added: "In the dressing room after the game we didn't know.
"I thought that the ball had gone over the line first but I said to him: 'I'll give you the goal if you want, it's all the same to me, as long as the team wins, that's more important than whether it's you or me who scores. I'm not bothered either way.'
"First and foremost it's my job to defend, but whenever I do get the chance to score, say from a free-kick or a corner, I try and help out my side in the best way I can."