Sakho: I was always taught to give back

Sakho is an ambassador for the Liverpool FC Foundation and the main bulk of his activities for the Reds' official charity is centred upon the school situated just around the corner from Anfield Road.

The defender works alongside community coaches and joins in with the teachers as they steer pupils through the speaking and reading elements of their French language studies.

His commitment to working within the local community began during Sakho's time at Paris Saint-Germain, his boyhood side from the French capital and a team that he skippered at the tender age of 17.

After making the switch to Merseyside in the summer of 2013, Sakho immersed himself in charitable ventures and in December of that year, he was unveiled as an envoy for the club's foundation.

In an interview with the official Liverpool FC magazine, the Parisian, who is currently working towards full fitness after sustaining a thigh injury, spoke at length about his pride at the role.

"It's something I feel is natural - what you have to do," he explained. "My own upbringing has taught me to be like that. I want to do more, not just here in Liverpool but also back in France and Senegal.

"I've taken on someone to help run these projects, hopefully to increase the activity. I believe in investing in young people. The main objective is to share something with these kids.

"If they can grow as individuals by seeing someone in the public eye setting a good example - if you can help them in life in any way, whether it be within their schooling or later on when they come to be working, or in the area of sport - it's very important.

"In French, we have a word for this: declic, which means that trigger or turning point, that moment of inspiration to push on, when everything falls into place."

Since Sakho began supporting the club's 'On the Ball' programme and regularly visiting All Saints Primary School, the overall attendance of pupils increased by 1.2 per cent for the 2013-14 academic year.

Furthermore, 56 per cent of persistent absentees from the previous year made the required improvement to above 85 per cent attendance throughout the same academic period.

"It's good fun," said Sakho. "I'm getting to know the kids and they're getting to know me, we're building a good rapport. It's cute to hear them speaking French with their accents and it's great to hear that the attendances have improved."

After last season drew to a close and before the World Cup kicked off, Sakho, who journeyed with France to the tournament in Brazil, squeezed in time to organise a special trip for youngsters from Paris Football Club.

He organised for 16 of them to make the journey to Liverpool, where they enjoyed a training session at Melwood and took part in a friendly contest against the Academy's U11 side on the famous turf at Anfield.

"I had a week where I was supposed to have a bit of a break, a holiday," said Sakho. "But I decided to go back to Paris and sort out the arrangements for the U11s coming here.

"It also involved me coming back to Liverpool to organise a few things. But I enjoyed it. I put myself in their position. When I was their age I loved having a dream day like that, so it's about returning it, passing it on if you like."