Liverpool FC Forum

by **drummerphil** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:22 pm

I'm still not convinced to be honest i need to see him over the rest of the season.At times i find him no different than Robbie Savage snapping at ankles and upsetting the opposition.I'm concerned by how much football he will actually play and how often he will be banned.
Graeme Souness was hard as nails but could find a pass and was generally superb,Julian Dicks and Vinny Jones etc were just hard bástards with little else............
Momo i find somewhere between the two and i need to see more quality with his Brain yet.

by **taff** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:42 pm

Great destructive player as JBG said. But he does seem to lack composure in the last third, but as a dfensive midfielder he has looked really good.

I think he will become a great player but we wont see the best for another couple of seasons.

Comparisons to Vieira are justified except in the last third where Vieira had a lot more composure.

Still, he releases SG and Alonso which aint a bad thing to do

by **HOMER** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:05 pm

all you can do at the moment is compare sissoko to a 21 year old viera or makalele. were they at that age composed in the last third? I think not. were they as good at tackling? I think not. were they covering as much ground? I think not. were they giving mom performances aginst the top teams? I think not

Give the lad a chance and he will be awesome alongside gerrard and alonso-great signing

by **48-1119859832** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:55 pm

I think people are getting a bit too carried away here. Whilst Sissoko is improving all the time and seems like a great player for the future, I don't think we should be building him up to quickly. I know he's an exciting young prospect and he grows with stature and ability as each game passes, however let the lad have some slack and room to make mistakes and learn from them. I think calling him the next anybody at this stage of his Liverpool career, as well as his overall career is jumping the gun just a touch.

The reason I say this is because people are quick enough to build a player up and equally as quick to knock them down again. Sissoko is also not the finished parcel so to be building him up and making out he is something he's not isn't wise by any stretch of the imagination.

Whilst Sissoko is good at holding the ball, giving opposition players a torrid time, his distribution of the ball is poor, however I am sure with time this will improve.

by **115-1073096938** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:58 pm

HOMER wrote:all you can do at the moment is compare sissoko to a 21 year old viera or makalele. were they at that age composed in the last third? I think not. were they as good at tackling? I think not. were they covering as much ground? I think not. were they giving mom performances aginst the top teams? I think not

Give the lad a chance and he will be awesome alongside gerrard and alonso-great signing

Compare him to Vieira at the same age and you think he's better?

Did you see Vieira at 21? He was probably as good as Gerrard is now. He was better than Alonso thats for sure and Alonso's class.

The problem is with "oot" Liverpool fans is theres no perspective. Gerrard is world class, Alonso is class. Beyond that we have loads of quality and top quality players, but everyone we sign or have in the team seems to be "class".

If Carragher was world class, Alonso and Gerrard were and Luis Garcia was, we'd win the league without question.

Sissoko is very very good. He's not class.

Some of the older posters a while ago might remember something i mentioned about numbers for players, and adding up to a team total to see how good we are.

6: world class (17m+ price range roughly)
5: top class (12m)
4: quality player (8m)
3: very good player (7m)
2: good player (5m)
1: squad player (3m)

Chelsea: 50 points.

Drogba
Robben 3 Duff
6 Essien Lampard 4
4 Makelele 4
5
Del Horno Terry Gallas Ferreira
4 4(5) 6 4
Cech
5

Liverpool: 42 points.

Crouch Fowler
Kewell 3 4 Gerrard
4 Alonso Sissoko 6
5 3
Riise Hyypia Carragher Finnan
4 4 4(5) 4
Reina
4

Arsenal: 42 points.

Henry van Persie
6 4
Pires Gilberto Fabergas Ljunberg
3 4 3 3
Cole Campbell Toure Lauren
5 4 4 3
Lehman
3

Man Utd: 41 points

Rooney van Nistlerooy
Giggs 6 4 Ronaldo
4 Smith Fletcher 4
2 1
Heinze Silvestre Ferdinand Neville
5 3 5 3
van der Sar
4
That to me is roughly how i'd judge teams (on paper). For me, Sissoko has the potential to get to a "4" as does van Persie as and probably Toure and Fabregas have the potential to go up a level. Thats why i think we need a quality winger and a new striker. Obviouvly they have to be the right players. Ashton and Pennant i'd give 4's too again with the potential to improve. I'm not sayin this IS the way it is, but my 'theory' if you like.... makes sense and adds up, looking at the positions and goal difference of the teams also i think this adds up.

The day we'll compete with Chelsea is when we can have a bench that consists of Crouch, Sissoko, Luis Garcia Carson, and either Agger or Kromkamp, with two new quality first teamers in the side.

I also feel we have a better manager than Chelsea which is why i believe we don't need as good a team of players. If Mourinho had made that sub the other week with Luis Garcia the media would have labled that "Jose does it again" rather than "Luis Garcia the LUCKY charm".

by **bigmick** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:27 pm

Stu I'm well aware that Vierra was a very special player at a young age which is why I said that "is Sissoko the new Vierra?" is something of a red herring. FWIW I don't think he is but as Vierra was one of the top two or three midfielders to have graced the Premiership since it's inception, there's no shame if ultimately he comes up a little short on that one.
I can't have explained myself very well because pretty much everyones not getting what I'm on about. What I'm saying is, I thought Sissoko would make a decent player in a couple of years. After the last two games (yes I know Micky the knee-jerker) I have revised my view. Now I think he is going to be quite a bit better than I originally anticipated and I also think he's going to reach that level almost as we speak. When a player arrives he arrives quick and in the case of Sissoko, I've got a feeling he has just swept into town.

As for the "team ratings" thing, sorry Stu but as a method I can't go for it. The valuations, 17m+ for a World Class player and all that are fair enough but don't take into account a players age, length left on contract etc etc so therefore become much too subjective. Looking at the Chelsea valuations for example, are you seriously saying that if they sold Drogba tomorrow he would cost 7 million, and Lampard would cost 8? There's no point in me going into it in detail but suffice to say that I think those valuations are in a different stratosphere to reality. If as I suspect, the valuations are not actual cash based and are reflective of your opinion on each players relative worth then I can't agree either. Much as I love Robbie Fowler, any system which rates him in his current state as Thierry Henri's equal has me shaking my head.

All that said, I take your general point that as the squad improves, the bench improves and that is normally the indicator of a top team. On Sissoko, if I'm wrong as usual and he just happens to have had a random couple of good games then I'll be the first to say so. My hunch though is that his performances of late are the sign of a signuificant developement in his contribution to the cause.

by **The_Rock** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:41 pm

My take is that sissoko will be a very good player in the future just not world class.....

Positives
1)Lots of stamina (can run the whole game)
2)Has pace worthy of premiership football
3)Can break up play very well

Negatives
1)Sometimes, he runs too much...chasing lost causes etc... (does not know how to conserve his energy)...
2)His distribution is weak....eg...even for simple short passes to team-mates he seems to wack the ball.
3)His shooting is woeful. No composure whenever he gets to opposition box.

Lets just stop comparing him to vieira . We all know what happened to the "next zidane"....Sissoko is young and he will improve. But the next vieira...he ain't

by **Cool Hand Luke** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:51 pm

My view on Sissoko is very much the same. I think he is a player still learning his trade. We have to consider he has had 3/4s of a season already, so naturally we will see improvement. His performance against Man Utd was probably the best I have seen from him. He seemed controlled in what he was doing and was reading situations much better.

I see what your saying Mick, you think he is ready to give us consistently good performance now while at the same time still improve. I think he already adds something to our play irrespective of whether he is on top form, but I am expecting him to have plenty of rough patches still while at the same time making improvements in his game, a lot of what Sissoko’s needs to learn can be helped on the training ground, watching videos of his games and simply speaking to him about certain things, then he will go out with these things in his mind and try to take them on board, I suspect this is what is happening at the moment.

Yesterday we have already seen a better player that arrived here in the summer, and next season I expect him to be even better. I think playing alongside Hamann and watching him from the sideline is great for Sissoko, Hamann really is a master of that position and Sissoko can learn a lot from him, I suspect he has already and will continue to do so.

I don’t believe in “the next Viera” or the “next Henry”, and even if I did I wouldn’t describe Sissoko in this way, I think he will be very good player from us but never a Viera. I can Sissoko eventually settling into that specialist role that is so fashionable now a days, “the Makelele role” “the anchor man”, or what ever you want to call it, but I think Sissoko will be that sort of player, something which Viera was not.

by **onizukaeikichi** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:53 pm

he has incredible work rate and quick feets that now makes him so impressive so far ,lets see if he will carry on this form before he say he's the new viera

by **drummerphil** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:57 pm

like i said before at the moment hes nothing more than Robbie Savage in disguise......

by **Lando_Griffin** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:05 pm

bigmick wrote:A few weeks ago on here there was a thread where Sissoko got debated in depth. Most people (myself included) were of the opinion that he was a good buy at the price and would go on to become a really good player. Some (banana springs to mind) were of the opinion that he is already a very good player and ultimately would become a great one. I remember most disagreed, Stu went in with both feet and it the overall consensus was that our bendy yellow friend had called it wrong again.
I was with the cautious camp, Stu was calling it right for me. Broadly he was saying that however good Sissoko got, any dreams of him being aniother Patrick Vierra were fantasy island material.
The thing is, Momo's performances of the last two games against top opposition have been nothing short of staggering IMHO. His running power and ability to break up the game have been absolutely top-drawer, like Makeleli on speed. It's got me thinking that just maybe I've underestimated the lad. Football is a game which is largely played in the head at this level and Sissoko now knows he can really, properly do the business.
I love football and the different opinions which shift like sand in the tides. I was unconvinced by Pennant but have been won over (good spot Stu) and I've got a feeling I was wrong about Sissoko aswell (fair play Banana). We might just have a serious footballer on our hands here.

I agree with you there Bigmick.

It's not set in stone by any means, but I believe Momo could be our Makalele, but "on speed" as you say!!!!!

I reckon this formation would get the best out of him:

Reina

Finnan JC Sami Riise

Sissoko Alonso *

Garcia Kewell
Gerrard

Fowler/Crouch.

We all know Rafa prefers the 4-5-1 formation, and we can assume that once the RW position is sorted out, and we get a striker like Kuijt in, he'll re-adopt it.

*Alonso sits deep, spraying passes around whilst protected by Momo.
I can't see Momo as anything but a defensive midfielder, but with him looking after Xabi, we could realistically beat any team in the world.
Gerrard in the advanced role sees him in his best position (IMHO), and we all know the damage he can do from there, ESPECIALLY feeding off Alonso's utterly brilliant passing.

Eat THAT Sh*tski. We're coming to get you!!!!!!!!! :eyebrow

by **metalhead** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:17 am

Lando_Griffin wrote:
bigmick wrote:A few weeks ago on here there was a thread where Sissoko got debated in depth. Most people (myself included) were of the opinion that he was a good buy at the price and would go on to become a really good player. Some (banana springs to mind) were of the opinion that he is already a very good player and ultimately would become a great one. I remember most disagreed, Stu went in with both feet and it the overall consensus was that our bendy yellow friend had called it wrong again.
I was with the cautious camp, Stu was calling it right for me. Broadly he was saying that however good Sissoko got, any dreams of him being aniother Patrick Vierra were fantasy island material.
The thing is, Momo's performances of the last two games against top opposition have been nothing short of staggering IMHO. His running power and ability to break up the game have been absolutely top-drawer, like Makeleli on speed. It's got me thinking that just maybe I've underestimated the lad. Football is a game which is largely played in the head at this level and Sissoko now knows he can really, properly do the business.
I love football and the different opinions which shift like sand in the tides. I was unconvinced by Pennant but have been won over (good spot Stu) and I've got a feeling I was wrong about Sissoko aswell (fair play Banana). We might just have a serious footballer on our hands here.

I agree with you there Bigmick.

It's not set in stone by any means, but I believe Momo could be our Makalele, but "on speed" as you say!!!!!

I reckon this formation would get the best out of him:

Reina

Finnan JC Sami Riise

Sissoko Alonso *

Garcia Kewell
Gerrard

Fowler/Crouch.

We all know Rafa prefers the 4-5-1 formation, and we can assume that once the RW position is sorted out, and we get a striker like Kuijt in, he'll re-adopt it.

*Alonso sits deep, spraying passes around whilst protected by Momo.
I can't see Momo as anything but a defensive midfielder, but with him looking after Xabi, we could realistically beat any team in the world.
Gerrard in the advanced role sees him in his best position (IMHO), and we all know the damage he can do from there, ESPECIALLY feeding off Alonso's utterly brilliant passing.

Eat THAT Sh*tski. We're coming to get you!!!!!!!!!

I agree with you

What makes him fit in the EPL is his speed and strength, most of all his physical skills! Ofcourse he needs to work on his passing, shooting and other technical skills, i still think he will be a liverpool great because of his determination and his energy to win the ball. ofcourse he isn't the "new Viera", but he will be one strong defensive midfielder who will be hard to cope with in a few years.

by **7_Kewell** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:22 am

For me, Sissoko is a raw talent that needs time to develop. This is why i think it's vital that we keep hold of Hamman for at least another year, because although Sissoko is superb at breaking up the opposition midfield play......his ability to hold the ball, and slow down play, isn't there yet. At the moment, he seems to be trying too hard when he has the ball and gives it away cheaply with poor passes or poor attempts to take the ball past people. Obviously this will improve in time (for he's only young) but i would'nt be comfortable having to rely on him should we have a long term injury to Alonso or Gerrard. Sissoko is one for the future.....but, for me, Hamman is a vital 1st team player for this season and next.

by **valencianista86** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:29 am

Hi! First of all, sorry for my bad english :P

I was reading this thread now, and I had to post a reply. I'm from Valencia, and we had Momo some years here. A lot of people here were afflicted by the leaving of this young player to Liverpool, because we think he will be a very very good player, near to the "crack" definition. I'm happy seeing that here almost everybody likes him, and I wish he will do well in your team

Benítez loved Sissoko here, and did well signing him.

by **bigmick** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:33 am

Hi Valencia nista welcome to the forum. Was Sissoko similar at Valencia to how he is now or would you say he has developed? Also, do you think Aimar would be a good player in the English league, and have you got any good forwards that we could sign or swap for Morientes?

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