Mamadou Sakho: Liverpool defender fit again after leg problem

The French defender was on the bench for last weekend's win over Manchester United after recovering from a leg injury which had sidelined him since December.

The 24-year-old admitted he found it tough to be out of action for so long and he knows he faces a battle to get back into the starting line-up as Liverpool look to maintain their push for the Premier League title.

"I feel good now and I was delighted to be on the bench for the United game," Sakho told the Liverpool Echo.

"Two and a half months is a long time to be out and it was tough. It took much longer than we thought but I had to listen to my body.

"Initially we thought it was the muscle in my hamstring but it turned out to be the tendon which was causing the problem and that took more time to heal. I worked really closely with the medical staff to get back.

"It will be difficult to get back in the team because everyone is playing well, but at a big club like Liverpool you expect competition for places.

"Things are never easy in football. I am working hard and I am ready for when the manager needs me.

"There are still nine games to play and a lot to play for. I also need to win my place in the France squad for the World Cup."

Sako, who joined Liverpool last summer from Paris Saint Germain, has been impressed by the development of the club under Brendan Rodgers and he wants to help them end the campaign with a flourish.

"This was a project that really excited me," added Sakho. "It's a young, talented squad with a great manager. It was something I really wanted to be a part of. I am very happy here.

"Our first objective this season was to qualify for the Champions League and we're in a great position to achieve that. We want to finish as high as we possibly can.

"The United game was great to watch. A result like that counts for a lot. Liverpool have got better and better since the start of the season."