by account deleted by request » Tue May 29, 2007 1:13 am
Mohamed Sissoko has revealed he will have talks about his Liverpool future with manager Rafa Benitez.
The Malian international, who is said to be a summer target for Barcelona, was left out of the Reds' starting XI for the UEFA Champions League final clash with Milan and was far from happy.
22-year-old Sissoko was a regular earlier in the season, but since the arrival for Javier Mascherano - he has struggled to find a place in Benitez's side.
"The manager chooses the team, he thinks the team he picks is the best to in that game. I have to accept that." Sissoko told the Daily Star.
"At the beginning of the season I played a lot, but then I play, not play, play, not play - for for me I am not happy.
"When you are a young player you want to play every game. In every training session I work hard to prove to the manager that I have my place in the team.
"Now I'm 22, and I know I am still a young player, but now I need to progress because playing every game is important to me."
Sissoko, who is under contract at Anfield until 2009, admits he will talk about a new deal - but also insisted that he first wants to talk to Benitez about his future at the club.
"I've two years left on my contract and I'm happy with Liverpool, when you play for this club it's something very special," he said.
"So I need to know my situation, I've know Rafa Benitez since I was 17-years-old and I know he is the perfect manager.
"I know he has confidence in me. I'd like talks to stay longer and we've a meeting arranged with my agent.
"But I need to play football and now after the final I need to know my position."
Skysports
Spanish Primera Liga club Barcelona and Italian Serie A club Juventus reported to make a bid for Mohamed Sissoko, midfielder of English Premiership club Liverpool. Mohamed Sissoko or also known as Momo Sissoko, is a French-Malian footballer. Sissoko is a tough tackling defensive midfield player. He is often compared to Patrick Vieira due to similar high energy levels and a tendency to make hard tackles. Sissoko moved from Valencia CF to Liverpool F.C. in the summer of 2005 for a fee reported to be € 8m.
Juve boss Didier Deschamps reportedly asked his hierarchy to snap the player up in the winter transfer break. Deschamp known that the competition in the Liverpool midfield is stiff for Sissoko with Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard already fleshing out a mean midfield.
soccer fiesta