Brendan Rodgers believes Mamadou Sakho was given a stern examination of his ability to cope with the rigours of English football against West Ham United – and passed the test exceedingly well.

The French centre-back made his first start for Liverpool since December in East London, and duly turned in a commanding display to help the team to a 2-1 victory on Sunday.

"It was a nice introduction to some parts of English football for Sakho," said Rodgers.

"West Ham play a very direct game, and Andy Carroll is as good as anyone in world football when the ball is played up to him.

"Sakho coped really well with it, having been out of the side for so long. But I thought both centre-backs were very good."