Rafa backs Momo

[fred milne]

Sissoko will bounce back insists Benitez

 

Apr 11 2007

 

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

 

RAFA BENITEZ today backed Momo Sissoko to emerge triumphant from the first dip of his career as Liverpool look to confirm another epic European semi-final with Chelsea tonight.

 

Sissoko heads into the second leg with PSV Eindhoven anxious to rediscover the midfield dominance which has made him such a pivotal part of Benitez?s side.

 

The arrival of Javier Mascherano has allowed Benitez to protect the young African since January, but it?s clear he?s suffered a loss of confidence in recent games.

 

Benitez believes Sissoko is being judged against the high standards he?s set himself, and critics of the player ought to consider the impact of his recent serious injuries, as well as the age of the midfielder before jumping on his back.

 

?People still don?t realise how young Momo is,? said Benitez about the 22-year-old, who missed last week?s first leg due to suspension.

 

?He?s moved to a big club in a new country and played really well for a long time, but he?s not an experienced player.

 

?We?re not talking about someone like Didi Hamann who developed over a long period of his career, but a player who is still learning part of the game.

 

?When Momo came back from his shoulder injury, he played at a really high level immediately. Sometimes this happens when you come back, but then after four or five games it?s harder to play at the same consistency if you?ve not played for a long time.

 

?Before this he also had a serious eye injury. I don?t think that?s still troubling him, but he did really well to come back so quickly from this. He?s been really unlucky with injuries for the last two years and still came back strong.?

 

Sissoko?s strength and physical presence make him a favourite of the boss, and the main reason people are commenting on the African?s form, Benitez says, is because they?ve seen how good he is.

 

?When you set a really high standard people expect you to play this way in every game,? said Benitez.

 

?That?s not easy, particularly for a young player, but Momo has been really good for us. I?m not worried about him. There are times in a season when it?s more difficult and with Mascherano coming here and playing well, that adds to the competition. But we all know Momo?s qualities.?

 

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liv...-name_page.html

[Chili Palmer]

I think he is 100% right, Momo will be fine, he seems a mentally strong player.

[fred milne]

I think the pendulum has swung the other way now and he is in danger of being underrated. His strength, stamina and heart will be needed against Chelsea (assuming we don't slip up tonight).

[Stevie H]

?When you set a really high standard people expect you to play this way in every game,? said Benitez.

 

is right. trouble is these days that many fans expect all players to be all things. momo's got bags of time on his side.

[fred milne]

It would be great if he could grab a goal tonight.

[Stevie H]

i still maintain there's more chance of rafa scoring.

[Falconhoof]

It would be great if he could grab a goal tonight.

 

 

If that long shot against Barca had gone in it would have done wonders for his confidence, any goal would give him a lift though.

[Ian Garro]

I think the pendulum has swung the other way now and he is in danger of being underrated. His strength, stamina and heart will be needed against Chelsea (assuming we don't slip up tonight).

Is right. The Chelsea midfield (I'm thinking Ballack in particular) are s*** scared of Momo.

 

He is suffering a dip in form, but anyone criticising Momo needs to remember his performance in the Nou Camp - immense.

[Lee W]

Can't see him getting ahead of Mascherano at the momont.

[cymrococh]

If that long shot against Barca had gone in it would have done wonders for his confidence, any goal would give him a lift though.

He was trying to play Bellamy in.

[Guest Cardie]

Can't see him getting ahead of Mascherano at the momont.

 

If Mascherano's arrival has done one thing it's curb the ridiculous hype that surrounded Sissoko. Physically Momo is an amazing asset, technically he's very very poor at the moment but that can be worked on.

 

As a player Mascherano is streets ahead and they're the same age.

[Falconhoof]

He was trying to play Bellamy in.

 

[fred milne]

As a player Mascherano is streets ahead and they're the same age.

I'd still like to see how he fares against stronger opposition than Fabregas & Denilson and the PSV midfield.

[anny road]

I'd still like to see how he fares against stronger opposition than Fabregas & Denilson and the PSV midfield.

 

 

what like in the World cup where he played every minute of every game

[fred milne]

what like in the World cup where he played every minute of every game

Steady on. I'm not saying he's sh*t.

 

Just that I'd like to see what he's like against the Essiens of this world. Hopefully, he will get his chance in the semi-final second leg.

Edited April 11, 2007 by fred milne

[Bootle Buck]

Another thing that hurts him at times is his tendency to get booked early on. After that he has to change his game and sometimes loses his way a little. Maschereno has been great and we haven't missed a beat, but the lad will come good and put in a herculian performance against the Chavs and all will be forgotten.

[Guest prudent]

Another thing that hurts him at times is his tendency to get booked early on. After that he has to change his game and sometimes loses his way a little. Maschereno has been great and we haven't missed a beat, but the lad will come good and put in a herculian performance against the Chavs and all will be forgotten.

 

I would rather prefer spartanian performance

[Earl Hafler]

I think the pendulum has swung the other way now and he is in danger of being underrated. His strength, stamina and heart will be needed against Chelsea (assuming we don't slip up tonight).

 

I don't think that's possible given the hype on here.

 

Personally i think he's been over played in games where a more creative force was required in the centre and he's still raw. A good player, an exciting prospect but certainly no monster, " essential " player or first name on the team sheet. He's very good to have in the squad but Mascherano is a much more polished player and someone i think Gerrard would play very well alongside.

 

The 4 options we have for central midfield are unrivalled in this league, possibly in Europe.

 

What we need now are the one or two players in the final third who can make the difference between CL place and the title. I don't think / hope we'll see Rafa splashing £40-50m on 5 or 6 players. 2 or 3 key players. Voronin replacing Fowler and then i can't see anyone major being sold. Kewell and Zenden may leave but Zenden is very much surplus to requirements and one of our key signings will hopefully be the player we thought Kewell was going to be.

[mooks]

what like in the World cup where he played every minute of every game

Like Salif Diao?

 

International football is an excellent way to judge how a player will perform in the Premiership.

 

I don't think that's possible given the hype on here.

 

Personally i think he's been over played in games where a more creative force was required in the centre and he's still raw. A good player, an exciting prospect but certainly no monster, " essential " player or first name on the team sheet. He's very good to have in the squad but Mascherano is a much more polished player and someone i think Gerrard would play very well alongside.

Thankfully you don't pick the team.

 

Have you considered listening to our manager? Momo is going through a dip in form which happens to all players. Some know-it-alls on here are saying he will never be good enough because his passing is so poor yet it is not just his passing game that has suffered over the last month.

 

Momo is a pivotal part of Rafa's plans and you'd better get used to it.

[Earl Hafler]

Like Salif Diao?

 

International football is an excellent way to judge how a player will perform in the Premiership.

Thankfully you don't pick the team.

 

Have you considered listening to our manager? Momo is going through a dip in form which happens to all players. Some know-it-alls on here are saying he will never be good enough because his passing is so poor yet it is not just his passing game that has suffered over the last month.

 

Momo is a pivotal part of Rafa's plans and you'd better get used to it.

 

You what ?

 

" A good player, an exciting prospect "

" He's very good to have in the squad "

 

Is what i said and you have a dig ?

[Guest kapers]

Thought Momo played very well tonight. Always found a red shirt with his passes and not afraid to run at the defence.

[Shirohana]

Thought Momo played very well tonight. Always found a red shirt with his passes and not afraid to run at the defence.

 

Momo was ace tonight, was perfect for this game.

[Ben 23]

Apart from giving the ball away everytime he got it I thought he was alright as well. I don't think he's first choice anymore though...

[Redwire]

Apart from giving the ball away everytime he got it

 

B*llocks

[IgPig]

Apart from giving the ball away everytime he got it I thought he was alright as well. I don't think he's first choice anymore though...

 

did he f***