Mamdou Sakho has been frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities this season (Getty Images)
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Mamadou Sakho is delaying contract talks with Liverpool because he is frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities at the club.
The 25-year-old centre-back has not appeared so far this season but is set to make a rare start in the Europa League clash against Bordeaux on Thursday night.
Manager Brendan Rodgers reiterated that he wants Sakho to stay in the pre-match press conference and stated his intention to offer the France international a new contract, despite preferring Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren in the club's Premier League fixtures so far this season.
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"Mama is a player we want to keep. It was a difficult start for him, like all the players," said Rodgers.
"We won the first few games so it was difficult for him to get in the team, but after the international break he was always going to be needed. He will start [against Bordeaux] and we want to extend his contract.
However, according to reports in the Mail, Sakho wishes to assess his options before penning any new deal.
Sakho was left out of France's squad for their friendlies against Serbia and Portugal recently, given his lack of first-team football at Anfield.
Speaking to French radio station RMC, head coach Didier Deschamps sympathised with his player but reaffirmed that he would not be selected for France if he was not playing regularly.
"Obviously Mamadou is suffering from this situation because he is a competitor and it is frustrating for him," Deschamps said.
"The last friendly match he did was in early August. To find himself in the squad five weeks after being in full control of his capabilities, it is not possible. The guys know that.
"But Liverpool will be playing in the Europa League and have weeks where there will be three matches, so he will have more chances to play."
It is believed that Liverpool will offer Sakho a weekly salary of around £95,000-a-week once contract negotiations begin.
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