Sakho strop not a sign of wider Anfield unrest, says Rodgers

Champions League Group B

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers denies there is unrest within the camp after a stuttering start to the season but admits he has warned defender Mamadou Sakho about his behaviour.

The France defender is expected to be fined after storming out of Anfield ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby having discovered he was not in the squad.

Despite an impressive reputation at international level, Sakho has had an unconvincing start to his Liverpool career since arriving from Paris St-Germain a year ago.

He lost his place to fit-again Martin Skrtel at West Ham just over a week ago and was unconvincing when recalled for the Capital One Cup tie against Middlesbrough, resulting in him being omitted entirely against Everton and provoking his fit of pique.

Sakho has not travelled to Switzerland to face Basle in tonight’s Champions League clash as Rodgers said he sustained a thigh injury which will rule him out for two to three weeks, but he has tackled the 24-year-old over his weekend strop.

“It is not something we expect from any of our players but we have spoken,” he said. “He knows fully the situation, he apologised and we move on from it.

“His injury has come in a training session so it is unfortunate really.

“He just felt a pain in his thigh, he has had the scan on it and it shows he has a slight tear which will be two to three weeks.”

Rodgers, who must again do without the injured Daniel Sturridge, denied there was unhappiness in the camp after a disappointing start to the campaign which has seen his side win just four times in eight games.

“It is anything but that,” he added. “Any of the players will tell you this is a group that is very much based on success and the behaviours within our team.

“We can understand that a player is not happy but it is very important that what we have achieved is down to the team. We are obviously working hard to consistently win games and I think we are seeing the early stages of all the players integrating.

“It will take a bit of time but it is never something which affects the team.

“The team is very happy in terms of the relations with each other and we aim to continue to simply work hard and gain positive results.”

For his part, Basle coach Paulo Sousa is looking for his side to “create a story” by beating Liverpool tonight.

In the last three years the Swiss side have beaten Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United in European competition, and adding Brendan Rodgers’ Reds to that list would be an achievement to match those, according to the Portuguese.

“We could create a story tomorrow which will be remembered in the future,” said Sousa.

“As a coach all the games are a real test. It is a fantastic moment for us, myself and the players and our club to enjoy but also to compete as we are looking to get results.”