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Momo is ready steady go
By PHIL THOMAS
October 31, 2006
WHEN Rafa Benitez splashed £5.6million on Momo Sissoko 16 months ago, he knew he was adding some much-needed bite to a midfield packed with class.
Quite how much, though, left even the Liverpool chief wincing — after just one training session.
Sissoko arrived at Anfield as an unknown, following two seasons as the unsung hero of the Valencia engine room.
But, after a couple of hours of his first work-out at Melwood, his name was on everyone’s lips. Usually through gritted teeth — and accompanied by a fair spattering of industrial language!
For Sissoko was so keen to make an immediate impact that he threw himself into challenges with Steven Gerrard and Co that were as tough as any they could expect in the Premiership.
So much so that several established stars voiced their concern to Benitez, who had to step in and urge the Mali star to ease off. It is a request he has since made on countless occasions.
Sissoko has calmed down on the training ground but there is no sign of him doing likewise on the pitch. And Benitez would not have it any other way. The Kop rotation policy continues in tonight’s Champions League clash at home to French side Bordeaux but the softly-spoken midfielder has become almost a permanent fixture.
And while his all-action style has put him on first-name terms with refs, that incredible stamina and refusal to accept a lost cause have made him a firm favourite with the fans.
Benitez revealed: “I remember when we first signed him, he was tackling everybody and one or two of the players were taken aback.
“But I talked with them and said ‘Listen, would you prefer Momo in your team or the other team?’ We wanted him to keep doing the same things and all of them understand.
“I never see him trying to go and damage another player but, because he tries to regain so many balls, sometimes he’s a risk.
“I think he’s learning. And now we’re working with him to try and improve his passing and technique, because sometimes he regains the ball and then gives it away too easily.
“But he’s 21 and, with time and experience, he will improve with the ball and maintain his stamina levels.”
Sissoko’s first campaign in England brought him eight yellow cards and a red. This season, he has already collected five bookings in 15 games. Yet his recovery rate is so good that it has almost become a case of when he’s fit, he plays.
And Benitez is convinced the strongman will shake off a slight ankle knock for tonight’s Group C showdown as well.
The gaffer added: “Some players need four days to be 100 per cent fit again after playing but Momo is a player who can recover in two.
“His physical condition is really good. Whenever we did stamina training sessions, you’d see Momo and Djimi Traore in front.
“It was amazing to watch. They can run for ever — I’m sure they could run marathons. You always need a physical presence, a physical approach to the game — and Momo is very important for us.
“We’re always talking about quality, quality, quality. But there are also those who work for the team and don’t do tricks, like Momo. Maybe people don’t realise how important they are.
“I think the team looks more confident when Momo plays, especially the defenders, because they know they’ll be protected.
“And when we play with Stevie on the right, he has freedom because Momo will do a job.
“The balance with Stevie, Momo and Xabi is better than when we don’t have him. In England, they are tough games and you need the balance. He gives us that.”
There is just one problem facing Sissoko — when he might manage to finally break his goalscoring duck.
Despite starting his career at Auxerre as a striker, he failed to net in two years at Valencia and has not hit the target in nearly 60 games for Liverpool.
Benitez has no worries on that account. Sissoko, meanwhile, has a more fanciful plan and joked: “Hopefully, I’ll get the winner in the Champions League final!”
There may be some folk who cannot see that happening.
Yet you will not find too many willing to say it to his face.
By PHIL THOMAS
October 31, 2006
WHEN Rafa Benitez splashed £5.6million on Momo Sissoko 16 months ago, he knew he was adding some much-needed bite to a midfield packed with class.
Quite how much, though, left even the Liverpool chief wincing — after just one training session.
Sissoko arrived at Anfield as an unknown, following two seasons as the unsung hero of the Valencia engine room.
But, after a couple of hours of his first work-out at Melwood, his name was on everyone’s lips. Usually through gritted teeth — and accompanied by a fair spattering of industrial language!
For Sissoko was so keen to make an immediate impact that he threw himself into challenges with Steven Gerrard and Co that were as tough as any they could expect in the Premiership.
So much so that several established stars voiced their concern to Benitez, who had to step in and urge the Mali star to ease off. It is a request he has since made on countless occasions.
Sissoko has calmed down on the training ground but there is no sign of him doing likewise on the pitch. And Benitez would not have it any other way. The Kop rotation policy continues in tonight’s Champions League clash at home to French side Bordeaux but the softly-spoken midfielder has become almost a permanent fixture.
And while his all-action style has put him on first-name terms with refs, that incredible stamina and refusal to accept a lost cause have made him a firm favourite with the fans.
Benitez revealed: “I remember when we first signed him, he was tackling everybody and one or two of the players were taken aback.
“But I talked with them and said ‘Listen, would you prefer Momo in your team or the other team?’ We wanted him to keep doing the same things and all of them understand.
“I never see him trying to go and damage another player but, because he tries to regain so many balls, sometimes he’s a risk.
“I think he’s learning. And now we’re working with him to try and improve his passing and technique, because sometimes he regains the ball and then gives it away too easily.
“But he’s 21 and, with time and experience, he will improve with the ball and maintain his stamina levels.”
Sissoko’s first campaign in England brought him eight yellow cards and a red. This season, he has already collected five bookings in 15 games. Yet his recovery rate is so good that it has almost become a case of when he’s fit, he plays.
And Benitez is convinced the strongman will shake off a slight ankle knock for tonight’s Group C showdown as well.
The gaffer added: “Some players need four days to be 100 per cent fit again after playing but Momo is a player who can recover in two.
“His physical condition is really good. Whenever we did stamina training sessions, you’d see Momo and Djimi Traore in front.
“It was amazing to watch. They can run for ever — I’m sure they could run marathons. You always need a physical presence, a physical approach to the game — and Momo is very important for us.
“We’re always talking about quality, quality, quality. But there are also those who work for the team and don’t do tricks, like Momo. Maybe people don’t realise how important they are.
“I think the team looks more confident when Momo plays, especially the defenders, because they know they’ll be protected.
“And when we play with Stevie on the right, he has freedom because Momo will do a job.
“The balance with Stevie, Momo and Xabi is better than when we don’t have him. In England, they are tough games and you need the balance. He gives us that.”
There is just one problem facing Sissoko — when he might manage to finally break his goalscoring duck.
Despite starting his career at Auxerre as a striker, he failed to net in two years at Valencia and has not hit the target in nearly 60 games for Liverpool.
Benitez has no worries on that account. Sissoko, meanwhile, has a more fanciful plan and joked: “Hopefully, I’ll get the winner in the Champions League final!”
There may be some folk who cannot see that happening.
Yet you will not find too many willing to say it to his face.
