Mamadou Sakho: 'I am not above the rules at Liverpool'

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has insisted that he does not think of himself as being above the rules having been frozen out under Jurgen Klopp this season.

The 26-year-old has not featured at all for the Reds during the current campaign after being sent home early from a pre-season tour of the United States for turning up late for a team meeting and missing a recovery session.

The France international is expected to leave Anfield before the transfer window closes on Tuesday, and he insists that he has maintained a good level of fitness despite such a prolonged spell out of the team.

"It is true that I turned up late. There was a rule that I should have observed. I do not at all see myself as above the rules, I respect everyone," he told Canal.

"I paid my fine, I was sanctioned, I apologised to my team-mates and my manager. Aside from that... I do not want to go into the controversies.

"I work a lot, I have the chance to train with the reserve team, which allows me to keep up. And beside that I have my trainer. So I work a lot to stay on top of my game."

Swansea City, Southampton and Crystal Palace are understood to be interested in signing Sakho before Tuesday's transfer deadline.