Momo showing early promise
Aug 19 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
WHEN Momo Sissoko was unveiled as the 'new Patrick Vieira', there was a thunderous sound of uncomfortable shuffling in seats at Melwood.
Torturous memories were still too fresh in the mind. It was just three years ago Salif Diao was signed with the same endorsement, while the number of new Platinis, Zidanes and Lizarazus Liverpool have purchased since 1998 ensured the Reds were once capable of fielding a French tribute team.
It says something for the comparison fatigue Anfield regulars have suffered that a compliment which ought to have provoked excitement about the purchase from Valencia was viewed with immediate suspicion.
Manager Rafa Benitez isn't usually one for making such extravagant claims about a signing, but through no fault of his own, his remarks about Sissoko were greeted with a chorus of 'we've heard it all before'.
This may partially explain the lack of fanfare which greeted Sissoko's superb Premiership debut at Middlesbrough last weekend.
The 20-year-old may not only have to fight to establish his own reputation, but also against the stigma created by so many duff Liverpool buys who began their career in the French league.
His first appearances in a Liverpool shirt suggest this won't be a problem. In fact, the lack of widespread recognition for just how well Sissoko coped with his first experience of the English game is an oversight which will no doubt be rectified in the season ahead.
"In the two competitive games he's played he's already done very well for me. He was man-of-the-match in the European game and the only reason he wasn't last week was because Steven Gerrard was so fantastic," said Benitez today, as he reflected on the £5m midfielder's impact.
"He worked, he tackled and he got into the box. He showed us he is going to do a very good job. You must remember it is difficult for a youngster to come to a new country. He needs to learn English and understand the style of football. Maybe he's shown he will adapt quick. We are sure to have a lot more energy in the middle with Momo."
Such is the fickle nature of modern football, had a 20-year-old English ball winning central midfielder performed so admirably on his Premiership debut, he'd probably be pursued for weekend features pushing his claims for a World Cup place by now.
Naturally, it was Gerrard's all action display which grabbed the headines, but the skipper was one of those raving at the quality of the African's contribution.
"I think you can see already, even after just one league game, Momo Sissoko is going to prove a very important player for us this season," said Gerrard.
"To put on a performance like that on his Premiership debut was excellent. He's someone who's going to put in a lot of graft in midfield and he's not going to be afraid to put the boot in when it's needed either.
"Maybe it's going to work out that he'll play a more important role in away games, but everyone has been really impressed with him. He looks like he could be a great signing."
If energy, intelligent use of the ball and competitiveness stand out as obvious qualities of Sissoko's game, the only mild flaw thus far is the hint he'll get the wrong side of referees.
Sissoko was booked on his debut, ironically enough for a show of dissent rather than a late tackle, but Benitez isn't unduly concerned yet.
"I prefer to have a player with his energy and determination to tackle all the time than someone who's worried about picking up a yellow card, but for sure this is an area of the Premiership he'll have to learn more about," said Benitez.
Gerrard echoed his manager's view.
He said: "I know what it's like to be a young player in the centre of midfield. You want to get as many tackles in as possible and sometimes you can make mistakes.
"But Momo is still learning. He's only a young lad and he'll learn more about the Premiership every time he plays.
"To be honest, I thought he was very unlucky to get a yellow card. He was a bit frustrated, but I don't see this being a problem."
We can rule the worldAn idiotic decision. If Pool win it, so what? Another meaningless FIFA trophy, created simply to make money...
Liverpool may still be short in certain areas, but Benitez has a wealth of central midfield talent to choose from.
Didi Hamann didn't even make the bench in Middlesbrough, while a more attacking formation at home may leave Sissoko waiting for his Anfield league debut when Sunderland visit tomorrow.
If so, it proves there is still a great distance to travel before Sissoko confirms his status as the 'next Vieira'.
For now, Liverpudlians can take comfort in the knowledge he most certainly isn't the 'new Diao'.
