Liverpool FC Forum

[Ciggy]

Sissoko fumes at Reds axe
by Laurent Picard, 10 December 2007

Mohamed Sissoko has hit out at his exclusion from the Liverpool side to face Marseille in the crucial Champions League tie at Stade Velodrome, insisting he will discuss his future at the Merseyside club in January.

The Mali midfielder played in the disappointing 3-1 defeat to Reading on Saturday but will be sidelined when Rafa Benitez's side bid to clinch the three points that will take them into the knockout stages of the competition.

"It is in France, all my family are there and they wanted to see me on the pitch," he stormed to RMC.

"It is a difficult time. I am good enough to play in this team.

"It's the manager's decision. I respect it but I will discuss this in January.

"I will make an assessment with my agents and the manager. I have been asking myself that question for a while.

"I accept healthy competition but to play one match every five does not interest me."

Also Ranieri wanted to buy him in the summer but baulked at the 32 million euro asking price 

Sentanta sports.

[bigmick]

Well at the moment he probably isn't good enough to get a game in the team every week, but he does need to play more often. I really like him and have said so many times, but ultimately he may have to be sacrificed due to the fact we can only play eleven players on the pitch at a time (thank feck for that, imagine what Rafa'd be like if it was fifteen a side or something ).

Seriously though, if we do let him go I hope we negotiate really hard, becasue I remain convinced that in time he will be a fantastic midfielder. One thing is certain, the criticism he picks up on here is way, way over the top.

[tommycockles]

TBH - if we can get Mascherano on a perminent deal then i think we could let Sissoko go as with Lucas and Alonso we don't really need another defensive midfielder (who can't pass). I'd rather us buy another centre back or striker with the money!

[Ciggy]

He will find it hard to get a game when Alonso is back and when Lucas has more experience he seems like a confidence player to me.

And has none at the momment the injuries he suffered had a big impact on his game also.

But if he's not happy he will be shown the door like many before him.

[account deleted by request]

Well at the moment he probably isn't good enough to get a game in the team every week, but he does need to play more often. I really like him and have said so many times, but ultimately he may have to be sacrificed due to the fact we can only play eleven players on the pitch at a time (thank feck for that, imagine what Rafa'd be like if it was fifteen a side or something ).

Seriously though, if we do let him go I hope we negotiate really hard, becasue I remain convinced that in time he will be a fantastic midfielder. One thing is certain, the criticism he picks up on here is way, way over the top.

Reason 501 in favour of rotation, it helps keep players happy. Imagine how many players would be unhappy and want to leave if Rafa played the same 11 most weeks and didn't rotate.

I really like Sissoko and think he is going to be a great player, unfortunately with the players we have available now, he isn't likely to get the run of games he needs to show his best form. As Ciggy and Mick have said, he is a confidence player and needs to be playing regularly.

[JoeTerp]

Well at the moment he probably isn't good enough to get a game in the team every week, but he does need to play more often. I really like him and have said so many times, but ultimately he may have to be sacrificed due to the fact we can only play eleven players on the pitch at a time (thank feck for that, imagine what Rafa'd be like if it was fifteen a side or something ).

Seriously though, if we do let him go I hope we negotiate really hard, becasue I remain convinced that in time he will be a fantastic midfielder. One thing is certain, the criticism he picks up on here is way, way over the top.

Reason 501 in favour of rotation, it helps keep players happy. Imagine how many players would be unhappy and want to leave if Rafa played the same 11 most weeks and didn't rotate.

I really like Sissoko and think he is going to be a great player, unfortunately with the players we have available now, he isn't likely to get the run of games he needs to show his best form. As Ciggy and Mick have said, he is a confidence player and needs to be playing regularly.

You could also argue that less players are completely happy under rotation AND that Rafa only has a big a squad as he does because he rotates

[bunglemark2]

Sell 'im - he's muck....can't string two passes together. I've no probs whatsoever letting him go - we've more than enough (qualit) cover

[JoeTerp]

can't string two passes together.

I think it would be pretty hard for ONE player to string two passes together. 

[bigmick]

Reason 501 in favour of rotation, it helps keep players happy.

Feck me Saint if that's him happy, I wouldn't like to run into him in a dark alley when he's in a bad mood. 

[account deleted by request]

Reason 501 in favour of rotation, it helps keep players happy.

Feck me Saint if that's him happy, I wouldn't like to run into him in a dark alley when he's in a bad mood. 

He's not happy because he is only getting the odd game, and has begun to realise its not going to get any better if Mascherano does stay.

Most of the players I feel are more in Joe Terp's camp of not being completely happy, but not that upset that they want to leave.

[Sabre]

Well, others before preffered to leave rather than being secondary players. Luis Garcia realised of that, made a lovely letter to the fans, and he went to Atletico.

Hyypia instead decided to stay, where as Hamman preffered to have first team football somewhere else rather than few minutes.

It looks like Sissoko isn't the kind of player that is happy to accept secondary roles. In a midfield with names like Alonso, Mascherano and Gerrard, and knowing that Rafa doesn't rate him as a holding midfielder his aspirations cannot be further than a secondary role.

If that's the case and we can get some money, I'd say thanks to the lad and sell him in winter.

[Bammo]

I expect a Sissoko statement in the next 24hours saying that interview is . These sort of quotes always appear before European games trying to stir things up and 99% of them aren't true.

If he did say that then he's entitled to want to try to be in the team but stupid to hint at moving.

[hello_red]

I do like Sissoko but at this present time he is a liability, its ok hoping he will become a great midfielder but we have Mascha ready and waiting to be signed long term and he is more complete and giving his age can only get better.

Sell Sissoko and buy Mascherano.

[Leonmc0708]

Happy with that.

I dont want my players being happy to miss games, I want them pis.sed off to miss out, unhappy to not play and fired up to get in the team and stay there.

Makes for better competition.

Sadly Ifeel Momo has slipped down the pecking order as Masch and Lucas both look to have his number.

[Ciggy]

I expect a Sissoko statement in the next 24hours saying that interview is BS These sort of quotes always appear before European games trying to stir things up and 99% of them aren't true.

He said it on French telly in an interview he is well pissed off.

BTW isnt he going to the African Nations? If so he will be cup tied so it will put a lot of clubs off wont it?