Shows what we mean to him.... Mali international Mohamed Sissoko has claimed he turned down offers from Barcelona and Juventus in order to remain with Liverpool. The midfielder struggled with injuries last term and the arrival of Javier Mascherano halfway through the season forced him further down Rafa Benitez's pecking order. Benitez has an abundance of midfield talent in his ranks and it had been suggested Sissoko would be deemed surplus to requirements. Offers came in for the midfield powerhouse, but The Reds opted to hand Sissoko a new contract. Sissoko is determined to prove his worth next term, after revealing he snubbed offers from Barca and Juve in order to remain at Anfield. "It is true that I received nice offers this summer," Sissoko told football365.fr. "Those offers were interesting on both financial and sporting levels. But I made up my mind and decided to stay here because there is a nice project. "Liverpool are an ambitious club hungry for titles and this attracts me. Besides, staying can help me to progress. "The offers came from Juventus and Barcelona. It has been very difficult to take my decision as I was in direct contact with both clubs. I analysed the pros and the cons and made a choice that I don't regret." Sissoko says he came close to leaving, but was reassured he had a future at the club by Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry. He added: "They both wished to keep me and put my name on the non-transferable players list." Although admitting he endured a mixed season, Sissoko feels the fact Barca and Juve came calling proves he has the talent to succeed at the highest level. "If Juventus and Barcelona have been interested in me and wanted me to sign, that is not for nothing. I have proved my worth. It is always a pleasure to receive such offers from big teams like that. "I progressed last season, but the injuries slowed me down. Those injuries happened at the worst moments for me, but the page has been turned. "A new season is about to start and I want it to be a great year."
Fair play indeed- before his shoulder injury I really thought he was going to be our player of the season. Lets hope this midfield competition really fuels 9 and 10 out 10 games by each player.
Great!!! should be good competition in that midfield and great strength in depth,also prob means rafa will keep up his rotation policy?
when there was rumours that one of Lpool's CM's would be leaving i would've much preferred Momo to go rather than Xabi (cos let's be honest,Gerrard or Masch were never going anywhere) but i'm happy to see he's staying now.the fact he's turned down those 2 Clubs proves that he's obviously part of Rafa's plans. if he sorted out his passing and chipped in with the odd Goal or Seven he'd be some player........
The potential is there avid- young fella who needs work on teh training pitch. Hope he becomes the player I think he can be!!
yeah, momo offers a lot. Glad to see him staying. You know, at barca he could have won the champions league next year. But then again, with us, there is always a chance
Interssting that. Im happy for him to stay though. We played our best league football under Rafa whilst rotating 4 centre mids in 2005/6 with didi, xabi, momo and Stevie. Now just sub Javier for Didi and hopefully something similar.
Hi Agree with you there mate, I really feel this lad has a lot to prove as yet, his passing is not what it should be and goals are seriously lacking. It really ticked me off that Rafa has pushed Steve G out on the wing, to faciliate playing Sisoko in the past. I think we need to respect the fact that what Sisoko has said above is honourable etc, fair play to him. As for us giving him a new contract, I'm not entirely convinced this was to keep him for LFC .... as much as perhaps, ensure he didn't go on a free, when we can flog him to Juve or Barca etc in a year or so, if he does not improve further. One thing I did laugh at when I read it above, when he says "Liverpool arean ambitious club hungry for titles" and this is why he's staying.... I'd only love to know why he thinks Juve and Barca are not ambitious & hungry for titles Anyway, as far as I'm concerned this lad is for the cup games, not the league or CL, until he seriously improves .....
Agreed. He has the right attitude and looks like he has good potential but this years priority should be one thing (among others), the premiership and I dont think we should Jeopardize that. Real excited for the new season tho and seeing what team they field today.
Its also a backup plan in case Masch doesn't stay next year. Once Liverpool show Momo how to pass and shoot, I think he will be a better player than Viera...