Friday, 6th September, 2013
Mamadou Sakho is determined not to make the same mistake twice with France and hopes his Liverpool stay can boost a return to the national fold.
Sakho missed out on Euro 2012 with France, with then-coach Laurent Blanc opting against the centre-back.
Blanc's arrival at Paris Saint-Germain helped Sakho in some measure, in that the 23-year-old realised he had to leave to help his international career.
Sakho joined Liverpool on a long-term deal on transfer deadline day, and today revealed it was Blanc's advise from a year ago that became a factor.
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"I make decisions based on my beliefs and my career", Sakho told L'Equipe. "Laurent Blanc himself said, back when he was coach, a player must make choices in relation to the national team.
"I have been with the France team for four years now, and the only time I have not been selected was during Euro 2012.
"It still hurts but it made me grow. I just don't want it to happen again."
Sakho could well make an appearance for Liverpool once the latest international break is out of the way.
And he insists Liverpool are the correct choice despite being linked with a move to AC Milan earlier in the summer.
"I am very proud to have signed for Liverpool", he added. "I chose it because the Premier League is the best league in the world.
"Liverpool were the club that offered me a project that suited me best. The club's leaders convinced me."
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