Carra: I know what Sakho is capable of
Jamie Carragher is convinced Mamadou Sakho can be a success at Liverpool - because he's seen at close quarters exactly what the Frenchman can do.
Sakho arrived at Anfield on the final day of the summer transfer window after completing a switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
Previously, the 23-year-old had found himself on the receiving end of Carragher's famous verbal guidance during a charity match in Corsica 18 months ago.
Former Reds boss Gerard Houllier organised the event - and afterwards, he too was keen to eulogise about Sakho's potential.
"I played alongside Sakho," Carragher told the Liverpool Echo. "How did it go? Well we won 2-1! I talked him through it and he was fine.
"But I remember on the flight home Gerard having a really good word with him, even though he wasn't his manager, saying what he needed to do to improve.
"I thought that was typical Gerard, always attention to detail!
"It wasn't even his player and he was trying to improve him. He later said to me, 'He's going to be a player, him'."
Despite Sakho's relatively tender years, the Frenchman managed to rack-up 201 appearances for PSG, finding the net seven times from the defensive position.
He arrives at Anfield with Champions League pedigree, a reputation for tough-tackling and hard graft - and, it seems, the endorsement of Carragher.
"He's at a great age, physically he's ready for the Premier League, it will just be interesting to see where the manager brings him in," said Carragher. "He's left-sided and there's competition for places everywhere now.
"Cissokho's been brought in to put pressure on Enrique, Skrtel's done really well in the Manchester United game, while Toure's been a revelation. In the first three games he was superb so we'll be looking to get him back against Swansea.
"Competition's what you want, but of course you don't want your best players on the bench. I think the manager just has to juggle it round a little bit now and use the best two."