Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Newcastle United enforcer Moussa Sissoko, and new reports today suggest that the Reds are in a two-way fight to sign the combative midfielder.
In July, Foot Mercato claimed that Liverpool are interested in signing Sissoko( who is allegedly available for £16m), and according to reports in the UK today:
* Liverpool and Manchester City are fighting it out to sign Sissoko.
* The Reds are currently 5/4 favourites to sign the France midfielder.
Sissoko recently hinted that a move may be on the cards. He told Eurosport:
“With a year until the Euros, I shouldn’t change club, but I want to play for one of the biggest clubs...in the Champions League. My time will come. But in any case I see myself staying in England."
When asked in January who Liverpool should sign to replace Steven Gerrard, Ex-Red Danny Murphy told the Daily Star:
“Moussa Sissoko and Morgan Schneiderlin are the two players Liverpool should go for. Sissoko is a box-to-box midfielder, who has looked absolutely terrific since going centrally".
Schneiderlin is off the table now, but Sissoko is still a possibility, and if Rodgers had made different choices in 2012, the Frenchman would already be a Liverpool player.
Prior to his move to Newcastle, Sissoko was heavily linked with a move to Anfield:
Jul 2011: Sissoko revealed that he was flattered to be linked with Liverpool.
Apr 2012: Speaking to reporters after Toulouse's defeat to Montpellier, Sissoko told reporters: "I've had contact with English clubs, notably Liverpool"
Aug 2012: Sissoko issued a 'come and get me' plea to Premier League clubs: "I want to grow, and the English Premier league attracts me first. My profile might interest some clubs, but I know I still have to work for it"
Sissoko cost Newcastle United a sickening £1.5m. The same season, Liverpool signed Joe Allen for £15m. Yes, you read that right: Liverpool ignored Sissoko and spent £15m on Joseph Michael Allen.
Urgh. It's insane, really, But I digress...
£16m seems a bit steep, but comparatively speaking, it's probably a fair fee for an experienced, international, who's Premier League-proven, and rarely injured. Right now, though, Liverpool are oversubscribed in the central midfield department, and if he signs, Sissoko may struggle for game time at Anfield.
Milner and Henderson will almost certainly play most games; Joe Allen is in-talks over a new deal, and if Lucas stays, Sissoko will face unhealthy competition for a place in the team, which isn't conducive to his stated goal of making the France squad for the Euros.
That aside, I don't see the logic in spending £16m on yet another box-to-box midfielder. Henderson and (in some respects) Milner fill that role in the team, and knowing Brendan Rodgers, Sissoko will probably end up playing out wide, which is where he regularly played under Alan Pardew.
Ulimately, Sissoko is not a dedicated defensive midfielder, which is what Liverpool need (especially with a consistently suspect defensive unit at Anfield), and if £16m+ is to be spent on another midfielder, it should (IMO) go on a specialist DM.
Author: Jaimie K
In July, Foot Mercato claimed that Liverpool are interested in signing Sissoko( who is allegedly available for £16m), and according to reports in the UK today:
* Liverpool and Manchester City are fighting it out to sign Sissoko.
* The Reds are currently 5/4 favourites to sign the France midfielder.
Sissoko recently hinted that a move may be on the cards. He told Eurosport:
“With a year until the Euros, I shouldn’t change club, but I want to play for one of the biggest clubs...in the Champions League. My time will come. But in any case I see myself staying in England."
When asked in January who Liverpool should sign to replace Steven Gerrard, Ex-Red Danny Murphy told the Daily Star:
“Moussa Sissoko and Morgan Schneiderlin are the two players Liverpool should go for. Sissoko is a box-to-box midfielder, who has looked absolutely terrific since going centrally".
Schneiderlin is off the table now, but Sissoko is still a possibility, and if Rodgers had made different choices in 2012, the Frenchman would already be a Liverpool player.
Prior to his move to Newcastle, Sissoko was heavily linked with a move to Anfield:
Jul 2011: Sissoko revealed that he was flattered to be linked with Liverpool.
Apr 2012: Speaking to reporters after Toulouse's defeat to Montpellier, Sissoko told reporters: "I've had contact with English clubs, notably Liverpool"
Aug 2012: Sissoko issued a 'come and get me' plea to Premier League clubs: "I want to grow, and the English Premier league attracts me first. My profile might interest some clubs, but I know I still have to work for it"
Sissoko cost Newcastle United a sickening £1.5m. The same season, Liverpool signed Joe Allen for £15m. Yes, you read that right: Liverpool ignored Sissoko and spent £15m on Joseph Michael Allen.
Urgh. It's insane, really, But I digress...
£16m seems a bit steep, but comparatively speaking, it's probably a fair fee for an experienced, international, who's Premier League-proven, and rarely injured. Right now, though, Liverpool are oversubscribed in the central midfield department, and if he signs, Sissoko may struggle for game time at Anfield.
Milner and Henderson will almost certainly play most games; Joe Allen is in-talks over a new deal, and if Lucas stays, Sissoko will face unhealthy competition for a place in the team, which isn't conducive to his stated goal of making the France squad for the Euros.
That aside, I don't see the logic in spending £16m on yet another box-to-box midfielder. Henderson and (in some respects) Milner fill that role in the team, and knowing Brendan Rodgers, Sissoko will probably end up playing out wide, which is where he regularly played under Alan Pardew.
Ulimately, Sissoko is not a dedicated defensive midfielder, which is what Liverpool need (especially with a consistently suspect defensive unit at Anfield), and if £16m+ is to be spent on another midfielder, it should (IMO) go on a specialist DM.
Author: Jaimie K
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