Sissoko to make surprise return
Mar 21 2006
By Christopher Beesley Daily Post Staff
RAFAEL BENITEZ has revealed that Mohamed Sissoko could make a shock return for Liverpool in tonight's FA Cup quarter-final at Birmingham City.
The Mali international midfielder has been missing from the Liverpool side since picking up a serious retina injury following a kick to an eye during the Champions League defeat at Benfica on February 21.
At the time it was feared that Sissoko might even be left partially blind and there were question marks over the 21-year-old's career but just four weeks later, he is poised for a possible recall.
Benitez said: "I think he'll be in the squad. I don't know if he can play yet but we've been trying all different types of glbuttes to protect the eye and we'll have to see."
With Liverpool playing their second game in three days, Benitez said that it would be impossible to know his team ahead of yesterday's training session but admitted that he'd be forced to make some changes from Sunday's line-up.
He said: "We'll need to see how tired they are and we cannot train hard as that will make things worse.
"John Arne Riise has been training for some days and is close.
"All of the other players who were not involved on Sunday were rested."
Robbie Fowler is cup-tied but Steve Finnan and Fernando Morientes, who failed to make the 16 at St James' Park, are expected back into the starting line-up.
Crouch is likely to partner Morientes up front which means Djibril Cisse could be back on the bench despite netting his first goal of 2006 on Sunday via the penalty spot.
Cisse's celebrations at St James' Park in front of the home supporters resulted in some nasty exchanges with the Newcastle fans and the player was cautioned by referee Mike Riley for lifting up his jersey to reveal a T-shirt containing a message to his family.
But while tempers flared at the time, Benitez is satisfied that the French striker did not overstep the mark.
He said: "I talked to him at the end of the game and as it was a message to his son and family, I don't think it was a serious incident.
"As a player, you feel you need to score and for him it was really important.
"He has said sorry. He had spent a long time trying to score a goal and his reaction was normal."
The player himself has apologisesd for his actions and claimed that he did not intend to be disrespectful.
Cisse said: "I didn't intend to be rude. I was just really happy to score a goal after such a long time because scoring goals is what I love doing.
"I want to make it clear I respect the Newcastle supporters and if they thought I was being disrespectful to them, then I obviously apologise for that.
"Like all the strikers at the club, I have been desperate to find the net again and when the penalty went in, I was absolutely delighted.
"But, if my celebrations appeared disrespectful, that certainly wasn't my intention."
Meanwhile, due to the Reds' hectic schedule, Benitez has not yet had time to finalise the details over his contract extension but he insists that this is purely down to his busy workload.
He said: "It is not easy to keep in touch when you're preparing for all these games.
"But it is not a problem and in the end, I'll stay here."
