Mamadou Sakho has revealed how he received a text message from Steven Gerrard after donning the Liverpool captain's armband for the first time last month.

In the absence of Jordan Henderson and James Milner, the French defender was named as skipper for the Reds’ Europa League draw in Bordeaux.

And afterwards, Sakho was sent a text message of congratulations from across the Atlantic by Gerrard.

"Steven is an example,” said Sakho. "Also, he often sends me small text messages like after my first match of the season at Bordeaux, in the Europa League, with the captain's armband.

"He texted me to congratulate me. He said: ‘Continue to fight like that, I'm proud of you.’

"It's always nice to receive such a message from a great player."