Alonso

Momo - The Big Interview Be honest: had you heard the name Momo Sissoko before his arrival from Valencia in the summer of 2005? Probably not. However, the Malian international soon established himself as a firm Kop favourite, his no-nonsense approach ensuring he inherited Didi Hamann's mantel of midfield enforcer with aplomb. So, how's he finding life in England? In our latest Big Interview, Momo talks about yellow cards, his admiration for Robbie Savage, and The Banana Splits. Oh, and he reveals who took the chequered flag when the Liverpool players went go-karting. You've been here well over a year now. What are the best and the worst things about this living in England? I'd say the best thing is that when you arrive at every stadium and go on to the pitch the fans are fantastic. For me, the worst thing is the weather. The best thing about Liverpool is when the fans sing my name. I'm very happy in Liverpool, the club and my teammates. You mentioned the fans singing your name. The tune to the Mo Mo Mo song comes from a kids TV show called The Banana Splits ? have you seen it? No, never. Maybe I will! Which players helped you settle into life at Liverpool? Every player. I'm young and all the time I learn things, especially with Stevie and Xabi Alonso. For me this is something special. I have good feelings with everybody ? with Carragher as well, with Garcia, with Pepe Reina. Who is the loudest member of the Liverpool dressing room? Carragher talks a lot. I can understand him now but it's difficult. How do you spend your time when you are not training? I sleep a lot! I go to the town centre quite a lot too. I like clothes so I go shopping. The squad went go-karting earlier this week ? who won? Bolo won and I came last! It was the first time I'd been karting so for me it's normal to finish last. Bolo was good and Sami was very good as well. Rafa signed you for Liverpool after bringing you through the ranks at Valencia. Has he become a father figure to you? Rafa is the one for me because he gave me my break in the first team when I was 17-years-old. He was the first to give me a chance and for me he is something special. I respect him a lot. Are there any aspects of your game you would like to improve? I want to improve all the time, during every training session. I need to learn a lot of things but I am a young player and I am learning all the time. I would like to improve my shooting. You're yet to score for Liverpool ? how bothered are you about that? I want to score but my objective is to play well every game and win every game. I'm not especially bothered about goals. I just want to show everybody that I play well. What do you make of the comparisons to Patrick Vieira? For me this is good. It is a big comparison. When people say I am like him it makes me happy. My heroes when I was young were Zidane and Patrick Vieira especially. Who has been your toughest opponent in the Premiership? I like to play against Robbie Savage because he is there all the time. He is a good guy ? I like him. Do you have any superstitions when you go out on to the pitch? Yes. I always go out left foot first. I don't know why but I've done it since I was a boy. A lot has been made about the number of yellow cards you receive, and Rafa has come out to say he feels you are treated unfairly. Is that how you feel? The story is finished for me. I bring a lot of yellow cards but when you play as a central midfielder you need to defend every ball. I'm not going to change my style of playing. I just want to play football, enjoy my football and win a lot of titles. Many Liverpool fans probably aren't aware that you have 14 brothers and sisters. Can we expect to see another Sissoko in a Red shirt one day? Maybe! I have a younger brother playing in the first division for West Brom and I have told him to work hard. There are others ? my brother Abdul plays in France for Auxerre. You chose to play for Mali ahead of France - why? I decided to play for Mali because that's what my heart told me. Now a lot of people know Mali because I play for Liverpool and other players too ? Diarra plays for Madrid. What's been the highlight of your career so far? The best thing was in Spain winning La Liga, the UEFA Cup and the Super Cup when I was 18-years-old. Finally, you feared you may never play again after that horrific eye injury in Benfica. What would you do if you could no longer play football? That's a good question. I really do not know what I would have done. I'm better now and this makes me very happy because this injury for me and my family was very bad. I'm just thankful that I'm playing again and playing for Liverpool. My eye sight is back to 100 per cent now.

Uriah Rennie Not the attention seeker that some are but he just doesn't have a clue.

Sissoko is one yellow away from a suspension. If he gets booked v Reading would he miss the Brum game in the League Cup or the Arsenal game in the league. Likewsie if he gets booked agianst Brum would he miss the Arsenal game or would it just be in that competition?

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I was watching the game with my wife and she said outta the blue "That Sissoko's great isn't he? He's everywhere!" I almost spat my beer out in shock!!

Kuyt Gerrard Sissoko

I think so but nothing was mentioned by the commentary last night that he'd miss the next game (or by the caption that came up when he was booked) and they're usually up on those type of things if nothing else!

Same reason Hamann went, he wants to play regular footie and he may find himself behind Agger this season let alone next. Then again he may be like Fowler and except that he's only gonna be a squad player but at the club he loves.

ITV4 from 6.30

I think all the loan players bar Carson will go (if possible) along with Dudek, Zenden and Kewell with possibly Fowler and Hyypia if replacements can be found. Hyypia's case for being sold could be similar to that of Hamann leaving and Rafa may want someone younger in than Fowler. Also a few of the reserve team might go/not their contracts renewed too.

From Bascombe: VLADIMIR SMICER says he's gutted to miss what he expects to be his last opportunity to play at Anfield tonight (Tuesday). The ex-Liverpool midfielder travelled with the Bordeaux squad for the Champions League clash, but admits he has no prospect of featuring in the fixture. And: Liverpool gave fitness tests to Craig Bellamy, Mark Gonzalez and Fabio Aurelio this morning. Steven Gerrard is fit to skipper the side.

Not to mention the arrow like, defense splitting, visionary left footed 30 yard pass to set Gerrard on his way by Alonso!

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez may change his starting XI for the 100th time in-a-row when they play Bordeaux in the Champions League on Tuesday. Both captain Steven Gerrard and Mohamed Sissoko are minor doubts for the game with ankle problems, while Mark Gonzalez is still struggling. Craig Bellamy (calf) and Fabio Aurelio (hamstring) are also doubtful. Experienced Girondins Bordeaux defender Franck Jurietti (ankle) misses out, as does winger Stephane Dalmat (thigh). Coach Ricardo has been forced to add former Reds midfielder Vladimir Smicer and Marc Planus to his squad. Though Smicer would only feature in an emergency as he is still struggling with a thigh strain. Liverpool will have goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek available, as his current suspension only counts for domestic matches. Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard, Kuyt, Crouch, Dudek, Gonzalez, Aurelio, Bellamy, Agger, Fowler, Pennant, Zenden, Paletta. From the Beeb So from that I'd play Reina Finnan Carragher Hyypia Riise Pennant Alonso Zenden Garcia Crouch Kuyt No point in risking those with slight knocks.

You can only make 3 changes in a game!!

How's Xabi playing?

And would he be a better option than Zenden?

Apparently Platini was the one that recommended Diao toHoullier and said he was gonna be the next Vieira. That says it all IMO.

Apparently Drogba was offered to Southampton for £2.5m the year before he went to Chelsea. They said no to £2.5m but offered £2m, Marseille rejected it and a year later made 10 times more on him!!!!

Cisse & Morientes

Would take him ahead of Zenden tho as 4th choice CM!!

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The Reina, Hyypia, Carragher, Gerrard, Alonso and Sissoko of last season.

I'm off to the bookies now then......!! (Or should I wait a few more games until we look like we really are "out of the title race" and the odds get even longer!?)