Benitez backs Sissoko

[Skillz]

From .tv

"Football is a sport of the group, so we win and lose as a team," said Rafa.

"I was really disappointed and angry after we lost to Marseille, but being angry doesn't change anything.

"You have to analyse why we've played so bad some days and why we were so good at the beginning of the season.

"To play for Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger you need a special mentality and it's the same for us.

"At Liverpool players know they must have quality, must work hard and have a strong mentality. That's the only way to win trophies."

One player whose confidence has suffered recently is midfielder Momo Sissoko.

The Mali international scored his first goal for the club at Sunderland back in August but has since struggled to produce his best form.

Benitez admits the former Valencia man is not playing to his usual high standard but insists it is just a case of rebuilding Sissoko's confidence and believes that in time, he will prove that he is still a key member of his squad.

"I see he is giving everything to play well," said Benitez. "For our supporters that is the first thing any player must do.

"Momo was a key player when we won 82 points in the Premier League. Now we need to give him time to allow him to regain his confidence.

"I spoke to him after the Marseille game and said 'keep going.' He knows how I work because I managed him when he was 18 at Valencia, where he won the league and UEFA Cup with me.

"He knows I have a lot of confidence in him. I will push him and I will try to improve him."


I love Rafa, he is a genius IMO. I know a lot do not have the faith in him that i do but remember this guy outplayed Jose both on and off the pitch in the really big games. Infact it is very easy to suggest that if it was not for Rafa, Jose would be a living/walking Statue of Chav.

YNWA

[Charlie_B]

With the quality we have in central midfield, keeping Sissoko isn't a necessity, particularly if he keeps up these world class performances of his... We can do more than manage with Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard, with players such as Leiva that can take over should an injury crisis appear.

[The Erectile Banana]

With the quality we have in central midfield, keeping Sissoko isn't a necessity, particularly if he keeps up these world class performances of his... We can do more than manage with Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard, with players such as Leiva that can take over should an injury crisis appear.

I was surprised he wasn't sold in the summer, especially when it seemed to take so long for him to sign his new contract.
I can see him being fifth choice midfielder once Lucas finds his feet.

Anyone else get the feeling this could be Momo's last season in a Liverpool jersey?

It'd be sad to see him go but he really hasn't progressed as much as he could have and I can't see him making a great leap forward at this stage.

[dww]

I was surprised he wasn't sold in the summer, especially when it seemed to take so long for him to sign his new contract.
I can see him being fifth choice midfielder once Lucas finds his feet.

Anyone else get the feeling this could be Momo's last season in a Liverpool jersey?

It'd be sad to see him go but he really hasn't progressed as much as he could have and I can't see him making a great leap forward at this stage.

I actually think some of his early performances this season indicated he had improved his passing. A lot of players have been crap of late and I suspect for a player coming in and out of the side can have an effect on his consistancy and confidence.

Having said that I think Rafa probably needs to get down to a smaller number of experienced players competing for the positions in central midfield. Or at least to have more obvious one to one swaps - while the four players (+ Leiva) we have all offer something different so many different styles of player make it harder to form a coherent team pattern IMO.

[Parm]

I actually think some of his early performances this season indicated he had improved his passing. A lot of players have been crap of late and I suspect for a player coming in and out of the side can have an effect on his consistancy and confidence.

Having said that I think Rafa probably needs to get down to a smaller number of experienced players competing for the positions in central midfield. Or at least to have more obvious one to one swaps - while the four players (+ Leiva) we have all offer something different so many different styles of player make it harder to form a coherent team pattern IMO.

as I said earlier, he has tried to add an attacking edge to his game and that Sunderland game showed he can do it to some effect. But I think that game will be the exception rather than the rule.

[Graybach]

The timing of Raffa's public backing makes me think he might be in line for a start against Everton on sat.

In fairness it might be his type of game, gettin stuck in!

Just hope, if he plays, he doesn't have another nightmare.

[Shanks65]

The timing of Raffa's public backing makes me think he might be in line for a start against Everton on sat.

In fairness it might be his type of game, gettin stuck in!

Just hope, if he plays, he doesn't have another nightmare.

I know what you`re saying about this game being the sort of game Momo could enjoy, but IMO Momo is at his most effective when we`re playing against a team who are "better" than us. Momo`s strength is getting stuck into oppo players who are trying to control possession of the ball.

When we play teams who we [I]should[I] beat (eg Marseilles etc), then all of our midfielders (including Momo) are required to keep the ball and drive us forward. Our Momo is clearly not suited to that.

Give the opposition the ball, and Momo is BOSS. Give Momo the ball and he`s bobbins.

I`d be well happy to keep him as a backup midfielder. Hope he stays. Rafa - get working on Momo`s confidence!

[Graybach]

I know what you`re saying about this game being the sort of game Momo could enjoy, but IMO Momo is at his most effective when we`re playing against a team who are "better" than us. Momo`s strength is getting stuck into oppo players who are trying to control possession of the ball.

When we play teams who we [I]should[I] beat (eg Marseilles etc), then all of our midfielders (including Momo) are required to keep the ball and drive us forward. Our Momo is clearly not suited to that.

Give the opposition the ball, and Momo is BOSS. Give Momo the ball and he`s bobbins.

I`d be well happy to keep him as a backup midfielder. Hope he stays. Rafa - get working on Momo`s confidence!

I agree with all that.

He's absolutely terrible with the ball. I just think Raffa thinks he'd be ideal for the battle.

I'm not saying I'd like to see him start I just think the timing of the manager's comments makes it look like he's very much in his thoughts and he's started 'working on Momo's confidence'.

[dww]

I think other than the Marseilles game Momo's passing has been decent this season. I think if he plays as well as he has done in the past he could be ideal for the game. Our midfield has looked static at times and that is the one thing Momo is not. I think if we allow him to break down Everton in their own half then we will be able to get the best out of options like Crouch and Kuyt if Torres is injured.

If Torres starts then it may be better not to compress the game as much and to give him a chance to run at their backline. I still might be tempted to play him though. I think that used correctly he can be a benefit to our attacking play, in the sense that we can start attacking higher up the pitch which as we are not a quick counter attacking team can be a huge bonus. However he has to keep his passing simple.

[AFII]

I wouldn't play Sissoko instead of a more creative midfielder and we need that when Mascherano is playing.

I can't understand why we should keep a midfielder we can get £10m+ for when he is more or less useless in all our home games and won't be match fit the few times we need him.

[dww]

I still think people overall believe the hype rather than there eyes when it comes to Mascher. He has been very good in some games but of late he has been very average yet people all seem to want him in the team no matter what.

[tomasjj]

I reckon we would only have use of Momo if SG plays on the right or behind the striker.

[CAD]

I know what you`re saying about this game being the sort of game Momo could enjoy, but IMO Momo is at his most effective when we`re playing against a team who are "better" than us. Momo`s strength is getting stuck into oppo players who are trying to control possession of the ball.

When we play teams who we [I]should[I] beat (eg Marseilles etc), then all of our midfielders (including Momo) are required to keep the ball and drive us forward. Our Momo is clearly not suited to that.

Give the opposition the ball, and Momo is BOSS. Give Momo the ball and he`s bobbins.

I`d be well happy to keep him as a backup midfielder. Hope he stays. Rafa - get working on Momo`s confidence!

If that is not the same as saying "he's not good enough for LFC" then I don't know what is. We play maybe 5 or 6 venues a year where we dont have at least 50% possession.

I you truly believe the above then you would want to get rid of Momo.

[kewellnthegang]

I still think people overall believe the hype rather than there eyes when it comes to Mascher. He has been very good in some games but of late he has been very average yet people all seem to want him in the team no matter what.

couldnt agree more

lately ive been goin comin away sayin he was average/disappointing yet people i work woth who didnt go said "i heard he was fantastic"

he hasnt been sorry - but he is a great player

[kopash]

The timing of Raffa's public backing makes me think he might be in line for a start against Everton on sat.

In fairness it might be his type of game, gettin stuck in!

Just hope, if he plays, he doesn't have another nightmare.

Mascherano won't play I think as he's playing in S America on Wednesday. Momo has to play on Sat...