| |
| |
| |
MOMO SISSOKO
|
|
| Position:
Midfielder
|
| Date of Birth:
22/01/1985
|
| Height:
6'2
|
| Weight:
12st 8
|
| 1st team games:
86
|
| 1st team goals:
1
|
| International caps:
13
|
| International goals:
1
|
| Former clubs:
Valencia
|
| Birth Place:
Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
|
| |
Tough-tackling midfielder Mohamed 'Momo' Sissoko arrived from Valencia on July 14, 2005.
The Malian, whose brothers Ibrahim and Abdul also play professional football, began his career as a striker at French outfit Auxerre in 2002.
After a year in the reserves and on loan at Brest he signed for Spanish side Valencia where, at the age of 18, he was moulded into the energetic midfielder we see today by manager Rafa Benitez.
Sissoko played more than 30 first-team games in his debut season at the Mestalla, helping his new club clinch the UEFA Cup and La Liga.
His impressive form quickly led to international recognition, though this posed a serious dilemma for the youngster.
Despite representing his country of birth, France, at under-21 level, Sissoko decided to play for Mali, where his parents were born. He made his debut in a friendly against Morocco on November 19, 2003.
The practicing Muslim was a key part of the Malian team that reached the semi-finals of the 2004 African Cup of Nations, playing all five games and scoring a rare goal against Kenya. He also played in the 2004 Olympic Games.
After another season in Spain under new coach Claudio Ranieri, Sissoko was linked with a move to England. Despite interest from Everton, the midfielder chose to team up with his old mentor at Anfield.
Benitez dared to compare his new signing with Arsenal star Patrick Vieira - and the fans weren't disappointed.
Sissoko soon established himself as a first-team regular after making his debut as a substitute in a Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas on July 26, 2005.
The newboy added a steel previously lacking from the Liverpool midfield, though his first season on Merseyside was interrupted by a career-threatening eye injury sustained in a challenge with Benfica's Beto in February 2006.
After just a month on the sidelines the African made a shock return against Birmingham. On doctors orders he donned protective goggles - though they didn't make it to half-time.
Two months later Sissoko put in a man-of-the-match performance in the FA Cup final against West Ham. The accolade would have been his but for the last-minute heroics of captain Steven Gerrard. Never mind; following a summer's break he was back at Cardiff for the Community Shield, and this time he did walk away with all the plaudits.
After an impressive start to the 2006-07 season, the Liverpool number 22 was back on the stretcher. This time he was ruled out for three months after dislocating his shoulder against Birmingham in the Carling Cup.
Come February he was back and putting in another stunning display, this time in the Nou Camp as the Reds beat Barcelona 2-1. The return leg saw him nearly break his goalscoring duck for the club - but he was denied by the crossbar.
Supporters would have to wait until the start of the 2007-08 season to see Sissoko get off the mark - and it proved to be a landmark goal for Liverpool.
His 25-yard drive against Roy Keane's Sunderland at the Stadium of Light was the club's 7,000th league goal.
|
|
