Brendan Rodgers: 'Mamadou Sakho must earn place on Liverpool team'

Brendan Rodgers has said that Mamadou Sakho will have to earn his place in the Liverpool team, despite the club spending £18m on him during the transfer window.

The defender, who managing director Ian Ayre has described as the team's "marquee signing", joined the Anfield side on deadline day.

However, the manager told reporters: "It doesn't matter one iota. It is not me that puts the price on them. You judge the player on what he is giving you every single day.

"That's why I think it was unfair on the likes of Jordan Henderson. Jordan didn't set the price tag on his head, he came in for a lot of money as a young player. He's shown over time and with confidence that you can be a very good player.

"For me it doesn't matter whether it was £1, a free transfer or £50m. You want good players with strong mentalities, players that are willing to be brave on the ball and want to win games, irrespective of the price."

Liverpool face Rodgers's previous club, Swansea City, on Monday evening.