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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes Mamadou Sakho’s close bond with supporters is down to the Frenchman’s unswerving commitment to the cause.

The £18million centre-back produced one of his finest performances for the Reds in Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

After a difficult start to his Anfield career Sakho has firmly established himself as a mainstay of the side under Klopp and his name is now repeatedly chanted by Kopites.

Klopp says the plaudits coming his way are fully deserved.

“I don’t know which game it was when I heard the crowd sing his name for the first time but it was a spectacular performance,” Klopp told the ECHO.

“Thursday night was of course the same - he saved our life in a few moments.

“Our crowd know about football. They saw it and they like it.

“Mamadou has a special way to walk and a special way to fight. They like him.”

Liverpool have looked much more solid defensively in recent weeks with Sakho alongside Dejan Lovren.

That partnership is blossoming and Klopp is hoping for a repeat display against Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday as the Reds look to step up their push for Champions League qualification.

The manager says both centre-backs have profited from the improved organisation throughout the team.

“It’s about mentality,” Klopp added.

“When the team defends better together the first players who benefit from this are the centre-halves. Then it’s clearer for them which challenges they have.

“There were a lot of challenges for both centre-halves in and around the box at Old Trafford.

“They were brilliant. It was not about tactics. It was about individual quality.

“In general in all my teams the centre-halves benefit the most because a good organisation always helps them the most.”