Mamadou Sakho
Mamadou Sakho says he didn't feel respected at PSG, and is happy to compete for a place at Liverpool.

Mamadou Sakho says he chose a move to Liverpool from Paris Saint Germain not because of the competition for places or the money but because he felt a lack of respect while at the French outfit.

Sakho made the move to Merseyside on deadline day but still clearly holds PSG very close to his heart after graduating through the club's youth system into the first team.

But after billionaire Qatari owners purchased the club the 23 year old fell down the pecking order with big-name players making moves to the side as they target Champions League glory.

While rumours have speculated that Sakho wanted a guaranteed place in the starting line-up and was offered a large financial incentive to join Liverpool, the France international has denied such factors came into his decision over the move.

He told Le Parisien: "I did not leave a big club because of the competition. In Liverpool, there are also some very good players in my position. But this competition is healthy. In Paris, it became more complicated.

"My decision was deliberate. I saw many things that clashed with my principles. In Paris, I did not always feel respect. And I add that I have not made a financial choice. Otherwise, I would have waited in January to go for free."

Sakho was one of Brendan Rodgers' final signings in the transfer window as the manager sought to add more depth to his defensive options. Costing the club £15m, he was labelled by some within the side as their marquee signing for the summer and so far he has featured for Liverpool five times this season.

PSG had claimed they wouldn't sell Sakho during the summer, comparing his importance to Steven Gerrard's relationship with Liverpool. But Rodgers made the right offer and though the defender says he would like to return to the French club someday in the future he has sought to prove himself at Anfield.