[lfc-news] Momo showing early promise - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 19 Aug 2005
Momo showing early promise
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."

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'.

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