Liverpool FC Forum

by **LittleHobo** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:17 pm

Strange strange player.

brilliant in BIG games, everton, chelsea, big champs league games

but against the poorer premiership teams he is poor.

i like him in the high tempo games but not against the bottom 8 type teams

to sell or not to sell that is the question?

he isnt a patch on masherano, but in big games he seems to be HUGE

by **LittleHobo** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:21 pm

actually just thought about it and it is possible to keep 4 centre mids happy i reckon

i wouldnt want sissoko playing against us so he must stay really.

by **Sabre** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:24 pm

Before his last injury, most of us were praising Sissoko.

We all saw his limitations, we all saw that he doesn't score much (despite he started his career as striker apparently), we all saw his ball control wasn't good, but we reckoned what he provided to the team, destruction. We also were saying that his tackling hadn't as bad timing as he used to have, so we were all saying he was important in the team.

But.

After his injury he's being awful. There are some decissions that are not up to having ball control, or good passing ability. There are decissions that are about being concentrated and aware. And he's being awful in every aspect of the game.

A player like him, training hard, and with discipline can be a very useful player, but right now? he doesn't deserve to have minutes, to be honest.

by **Elchris** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:33 pm

He was not effective today cause boro plays :censored:

football , sissoko is more useful against team that passes the ball around , playing beautiful football or sumething like that because he can break the passes and tackle players in the middle.

He is still young and shown his potential many many times and he will improve ...!! He has the right player around him to do so..

And i'm quite sure we all be praising him at the end of the season ... :;):

by **The Bench** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:37 pm

The guys young and brash still. Read Rafas comments about players proving they want it enough to be here next year, and then check momo's reaction at being subbed tonight, he wants it bigtime, just doesn't know how to get it at the mo. Give Rafa time with the lad, it'll all work out.

by **RUSHIE#9** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:38 pm

Sabre wrote:Before his last injury, most of us were praising Sissoko.

We all saw his limitations, we all saw that he doesn't score much (despite he started his career as striker apparently), we all saw his ball control wasn't good, but we reckoned what he provided to the team, destruction. We also were saying that his tackling hadn't as bad timing as he used to have, so we were all saying he was important in the team.

But.

After his injury he's being awful. There are some decissions that are not up to having ball control, or good passing ability. There are decissions that are about being concentrated and aware. And he's being awful in every aspect of the game.

A player like him, training hard, and with discipline can be a very useful player, but right now? he doesn't deserve to have minutes, to be honest.

Whoever told you that must have been havin you on Sabre lad. The attempted strike in the first half posed more danger to the linesman than the goal.

I do agree that in the big games earlier in the season he was looking top notch but since his injury against Barca he has been dire. One theory could be that the arrival of Mascherano may have knocked his confidence a little although I'd be very surprised if that was the case. We've seen other players have bad spells when making comebacks from injuries and in all probability Momo is possibly just going through a rough patch. However his ball control and distribution really has dropped way off the expected standard for this level and I just got the feeling tonight that with Rafa bringing him off so soon in the 2nd half he may be sending him a signal that it's time to buck up his ideas.

by **Ciggy** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:40 pm

Said he still cant see properly and since his injury he has been poor.
I dont know but we cant keep them all happy.

by **Sabre** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:41 pm

Seems a joke I know, but it's true mate.

Some not updated Valencia sites still put that he's a delantero (forward)

Sissoko is a Striker

That was a bad signing I guess. Then Rafa or somebody put him in the middle. I'll check the story though. Hah, I found this link. It's confirmed he was a striker!! I cannot understand how, but He was!!!

BTW Rushie, I agree your point about the early sub. Rafa is quite methodical with the timing of the subs, and it's been only a few times in which I saw him subbing a player as a punnishment. I think this was probably the case, plus the match demanded tactically that substitution.

by **Bad Bob** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:07 am

As I said in the match thread (at half time), I've lost patience with Sissoko. His continual misuse of the ball has gone beyond aggrevating and he's constantly taking up positions that are better filled by Gerrard. Now, that's not entirely his fault, as the 4-5-1 we started with found him in space more often than Gerrard. Nonetheless, he spurned chances that more poised players would have done something with. Thankfully Rafa recognized this and made a move relatively early, by his standards--giving us a chance to get back into the game by returning Gerrard to the role that suits him best. On current form Sissoko is a fourth-best central midfielder by some distance and he is not worth a place in the starting line-up. Having said that, any talk of selling the lad is misguided. He has his uses but not in games like this, where our opponents carry virtually no threat going forward and where the onus is on us to break them down through clever use of the ball.

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:32 am

Bad Bob wrote:As I said in the match thread (at half time), I've lost patience with Sissoko. His continual misuse of the ball has gone beyond aggrevating and he's constantly taking up positions that are better filled by Gerrard. Now, that's not entirely his fault, as the 4-5-1 we started with found him in space more often than Gerrard. Nonetheless, he spurned chances that more poised players would have done something with. Thankfully Rafa recognized this and made a move relatively early, by his standards--giving us a chance to get back into the game by returning Gerrard to the role that suits him best. On current form Sissoko is a fourth-best central midfielder by some distance and he is not worth a place in the starting line-up. Having said that, any talk of selling the lad is misguided. He has his uses but not in games like this, where our opponents carry virtually no threat going forward and where the onus is on us to break them down through clever use of the ball.

Very hard but actually very fair comment at the moment Bob. I just hope people remember how well he played earlier in the season before they start talking about selling him etc etc( I know you didn't) Since his return to fitness his performances have been poor, but whether that is a result of his injury and time out, or because he has found outside interests during his convalesence.....

The aquisition of Masherano probably hasn't helped Momo either,as the comparison between the two is at the moment clearly all in Masherano's favour, and has highlighted some of Momo's obvious faults. I do however think Momo will fight back from this setback and will prove once again his value to the squad.

One last thought, has his eye problem been resolved or is he still having problems/treatment etc ?

by **Bad Bob** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:15 am

s@int wrote:
Bad Bob wrote:As I said in the match thread (at half time), I've lost patience with Sissoko. His continual misuse of the ball has gone beyond aggrevating and he's constantly taking up positions that are better filled by Gerrard. Now, that's not entirely his fault, as the 4-5-1 we started with found him in space more often than Gerrard. Nonetheless, he spurned chances that more poised players would have done something with. Thankfully Rafa recognized this and made a move relatively early, by his standards--giving us a chance to get back into the game by returning Gerrard to the role that suits him best. On current form Sissoko is a fourth-best central midfielder by some distance and he is not worth a place in the starting line-up. Having said that, any talk of selling the lad is misguided. He has his uses but not in games like this, where our opponents carry virtually no threat going forward and where the onus is on us to break them down through clever use of the ball.

Very hard but actually very fair comment at the moment Bob. I just hope people remember how well he played earlier in the season before they start talking about selling him etc etc( I know you didn't) Since his return to fitness his performances have been poor, but whether that is a result of his injury and time out, or because he has found outside interests during his convalesence.....

The aquisition of Masherano probably hasn't helped Momo either,as the comparison between the two is at the moment clearly all in Masherano's favour, and has highlighted some of Momo's obvious faults. I do however think Momo will fight back from this setback and will prove once again his value to the squad.

One last thought, has his eye problem been resolved or is he still having problems/treatment etc ?

Hi Saint. nice to see you back, mate. I did read something not too long ago where Momo himself was saying that the eye still bothered him a bit. What impact that's having on his play of late is hard to say, but it may be a factor.

For me, though, it may be a question of whether the team is outgrowing Sissoko. When the lad signed for us last year he was a breath of fresh air because he was absolutely tireless, covered every blade of grass and really harried the opposition. With his special ability as a destroyer and ball-winner he was often the first line of defence and he helped provide some steel to a side that had really struggled to impose itself on proceedings in Rafa's first year. Moreover, he kept it simple. He'd win the ball, play the simple, percentage pass and prepare himself to win the ball back the moment we lost possession.

As we've found our feet over the course of this season, however, Momo's looked more and more like a square peg in our midfield. There seem to be a few reasons for this. First, I think we defend as a team much more effectively than we did last season (despite our sterling clean sheet tally last year). Over and above a very robust 'back five'--despite Rafa's chopping and changing across the back line--we now have strikers who defend with gusto from the front--best epitomized by Kuyt. In addition, we have Gerrard and Alonso--both adept tacklers with sound positioning. Throw Mascherano into the mix and we have a team of outfield players who can harry the opposition, close down space, block passing channels and tackle effectively. As a result, we aren't as reliant on Sissoko to hunt down and win the ball.

But, Momo only really becomes a square peg when we go forward. More and more he is getting into advanced positions and offering himself as an outlet for a teammate--which is precisely what a CM should do. Yet, his ability to control a ball, turn, spot a pass, dribble or shoot is well below the required standard for Liverpool. If the ball comes to Sissoko you just now we're about to concede possession. He's a liability on the ball in a way that Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano...even Zenden are not.

Maybe he's always been this way and it's been overlooked because of what he brings to the side as a ball winner. Maybe he's tried to get more involved in our attacks and is making poorer choices with the ball. I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that we don't really need him on the pitch in games like the last two--where our opponents are content to sit back and soak up pressure. We have other players that can allow us to control the midfield and who offer more creativity and precision going forward. In high pressure games, against top-notch competition--such as the Barca ties--Momo is still the man because he has such a tremendous capacity to knock opposing playmakers off their stride. But, I wonder if Mascherano will not soon--if he doesn't already--fill this role as effectively, with more to offer once we have possession. Perhaps, as we continue to evolve into a title-challenging side, there will be less and less need for Sissoko. Perhaps, like Garcia, he will move from being a nailed on starter to more of a bit-parter--a useful weapon to deploy on particular occasions but not a player suited for an extensive run of games, all else being equal.

by **alxy** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:16 am

Simply put: Momo is a destroyer and nothing else. He is not a creator and works best when he DOESN'T have the ball. I am so frustrated at how he fights so hard to win the ball only to give it away with a botched simple pass.

Looking at the overall all-round abilities of the rest of our midfield supremos (Xabi, Gerrard, Masch), I can't see him being more than 4th choice at the moment. Having said that, I still believe Rafa will use him when the occasion warrants.

Last night, Alonso would have been a better choice to try and break down Boro's defence. But against teams like Chelsea and Barca who would have a real go at us, I can see Momo coming in to break their rhythm.

I guess another 4-5-1 is on the cards again for the Chelsea game. Probably Riise on the left, Gerrard on the right with Alonso pulling the string in CM and Momo and Masch providing cover for our backs.

by **Espionage** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:02 am

I have always been a defender of Sissoko. I love what he brings to the team and if that kind of work ethic rubs off on everyone. I really cant stand reading people go on about his distribution like it is the worst in the world. Calling for him to be sold is maddness, saying that he is not good enough for Liverpool at the age of 22 when he has had MoM appearances against the likes of Chelsea and Barca is just as silly. When a team fails they look for what they deem the weakest link, it may be correct but I think that too much of the blame is falling on this guy's shoulders.

I agree with what you say Bab Bob. He has not been up to standard to warrant spot in our main 11 with the likes of Gerrard, Alonso and Mascherano around. He is young enough and keen enough to stay around for a long time I think. He has so much potential and with Rafa on his case, I am sure that he will adapt to a new role here.

by **66-1112520797** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:52 am

That was so weird last night, watching Momo taking up positions Gerrard should of been in. Gerrard himself was in a " Luis Garcia" position. Thats why I think nothing happened in the final third for us, especially the first half.

I feel sorry for Momo a bit, I think the pressure is getting to him a little. He did perform much better before his injuries but now he looks a little out of sorts, even with simple passing. IMHO Momo wasnt needed in that team selection last night, if Rafa insisted on starting five accross the middle Alonso would of been the better option in a game like that.

by **112-1077774096** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:56 am

donkey

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