Mamadou Sakho speaks exclusively to the Liverpool ECHO's Theo Squires about his split allegiances between former clubs Liverpool and PSG, Anfield European nights and his relationship with Reds supporters
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Mamadou Sakho during his time with PSG and Liverpool
Mamadou Sakho during his time with PSG and Liverpool
(Image: Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain’s dressing room is certainly confident ahead of their trip to Anfield on tonight. Liverpool boast a 1-0 aggregate lead over the Parisians after first leg of the big Champions League round-of-16 tie.
However, the Reds were dominated by the French giants before Harvey Elliott produced an unlikely late winner in the Parc des Princes.
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Both PSG boss Luis Enrique and a number of his players have spoken public after the defeat, insisting they will win the second leg and progress to the quarter-finals. But it is not as simple as that.
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While Arne Slot’s men were not at their best in France, an Anfield European night is a very different occasion. And one of PSG’s own knows this better than most, with Mamadou Sakho well-versed on such iconic occasions during his own Liverpool career.
The Paris-born defender started his career with his boyhood club, becoming their youngest ever captain as he made 201 appearances in the French capital. He’d then join the Reds in an £18m deal in 2013 and played 80 times in four years on Merseyside.
The highlight of Sakho’s Liverpool career came in Europe when he scored in the famous 4-3 victory over Borussia Dortmund in 2016 on one of the most memorable European nights in recent years. He was also a member of Jurgen Klopp’s side that overcame Manchester United in the Europa League that season in the first and only ever meeting between the famous foes in continental football.
While Sakho’s allegiances to both the Reds and PSG ensure he is not picking favourites this evening, he has first-hand experience of just how much of a difference Anfield can make on such big European nights as he warned his first club they are in for a match they will never forget.
“I will be in Georgia at my house with my family and I will watch this beautiful game. Special game,” Sakho told the ECHO in an exclusive interview. “Of course, for me it's something special because my city, my hometown is Paris.
“I cannot change my story. And I love Paris. But Liverpool was really special in my life also. And the connection I had with the club and the fans became really special. And it was like my second home.
“So I just wish all the best for both teams and I will watch a high level game. I cannot pick sides because it is like I'm half French and I'm half Senegalese. It's the same for me. I'm half-half.
“I think everyone saw the same game (in the first leg). I think if we have to judge this game of course PSG had many, many shots. The keeper saved on many occasions.
“But finally of course Liverpool won. And at the end of every game, this is what is most important, just winning, you know? Everyone saw the quality of Paris but I think Liverpool didn't have a chance to show all the quality they have.
“I knew it would be a tough game for both teams and I think at Anfield it will be even tougher. I always said that Anfield has a special atmosphere. This seems like you have a special gas in this stadium.
“The connection with the fans is really, really strong. So yeah, I think it will be a hard game for Paris. Whether they win or they lose, it will be a game they will remember because it will be a tough game for sure.”
Liverpool have their own Paris-born defender at the heart of their defence now in Ibrahima Konate. And Sakho is a big admirer of his compatriot.
“I think he's showing he's one of the best defenders in the world from his generation,” he said. “He's really strong. He's playing very well, very confident.
“When you have him at the back, I think you can see all his mentality and I really like him as a man also. It's also important.”
Sakho went viral after the aforementioned victory over Borussia Dortmund as he gatecrashed fellow goalscorers’ Dejan Lovren and Divock Origi’s post-match interview and famously declared his love for ‘Liverpool country’.
Already a cult hero with supporters, he still treasures his connection with them, eight years on from leaving the club.
“One of the best clubs in the world. Special stadium with a special atmosphere,” he said of the Reds. “And a really strong connection with the fans.
“Stay how you are. Because I think you are the 12th player because, when all the team come to Anfield because of you.
“I'm sure the game is always special for them. So continue to support how you are doing. I love you too.
“I think I had a really good connection with Liverpool, the stadium fans, the city. I did lots of charity work in Liverpool country.
“I said this because Liverpool, it's a country for me and I like to see, the people are really warm in the city.
“They love the club, they love football. It was an amazing experience for me and I will be back, I will come back to Anfield soon.”
Sakho is backing his old club to win the Premier League this season and would like to, schedule permitting, return to Anfield to celebrate them winning the title.
“Of course, of course I can. Why not?,” he said. “It depends on my schedule because I have a game also. It would be a pleasure to come and to celebrate the league with the team because they deserve it and I know they will do it. They will make it.”
Now 35 years old, Sakho is playing for Georgian side Torpedo Kutaisi after completing a surprise transfer last summer. He acknowledges it is not a switch many would have expected him to make, but is happy with his choice after picking the move over plenty of interest from elsewhere.
“Yeah, of course (it might have surprised people), of course. I really enjoy this country,” he said. “Of course I had different offers last summer from Australia, Brazil, Italy, Portugal.
“I had some calls with some teams but Georgia was good for us because, first of all, I sent my family. They came here one week before me.
“They visit the international school, which is really amazing. I never saw this type of school in my life. And yeah, really beautiful city, nice capital. They have a beach, they have skiing.
“So I think it's really important at my age to know my family is in good condition first. And of course the project here really interested me.
“And the location also, because I started to establish my business in Dubai. So it's only a three-hour flight from here. The combination of all of this was good for me to be here and I'm really happy with my choice.”
Sakho’s business in question is called ‘Sakho & Co’ and describes itself as a ‘dynamic ecosystem of luxury services, uniting various entities under one roof, including real estate, production, interior design, concierge, and consulting’.
It is something the Frenchman is very passionate about, revealing his motivation to help his fellow professionals prepare well for life after football.
“It's simple. Many players don't prepare well for after their career because, we learn how to play football, but we didn't learn how to manage money,” he explained. “I had the chance to meet many high profile businessmen.
“Today I'm working with many young footballers, many younger actors from France and Africa or things like that. What I did, it's simple. I just work with the best in every land.
“I think it's very safe for players to invest in real estate and to earn like a small baby every month, you know, it's something cool and without headaches.
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“Ten years later, I don't know, you buy something for 100,000, then ten years later, you can sell it for 110,000. So you make a small baby every month and then at the end, you can sell it and make on top.
“So for players, I just give good advice to them. After 10 years’ career, they can just look back and they have 10 properties or 20 depending on how much they are earning. It really hurts me when I see players without good investment at the end of their career.”