Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko has told Monte Carlo Radio that he is on his way to Italian giants Juventus.The departure of the hard-hitting Malian comes at an important time for Liverpool's central midfield.
Javier Mascherano is still not a Liverpool player, and doubts about Sissoko's footballing ability are unfounded.
Contrary to popular belief, Momo is not a run-of-the-mill defensive midfielder, someone who will sit back for cleanup with limited movement.
Yes, Sissoko's best attributes are his defensive skills (a single goal in three years at Liverpool prove that)—but he has never been one for sitting and holding.
On the contrary, Momo has a fantastic engine, and his work rate is something to be admired. He will run forever and loves a tackle.
That said, his lack of passing and shooting ability has seriously reduced his playing time, especially as he's surrounded by Mascherano, Steven Gerrard, and Xabi Alonso.
Juve will offer Momo more playing time, you would think. Since Emerson left for Real Madrid two years ago, Juventus have been short of a central midfield "hard man"—and Sissoko is more than equipped to fill that role.
A warning to Juventus fans, though: Don't expect passing, dribbling or shooting quality.
Liverpool will be happy to pick up a few million to put towards their own transfer targets, albeit in the summer after Momo's initial loan deal has ended.
Doubts still loom as to whether the Reds' American owners will provide the £6.5m transfer fee that Liverpool have agreed to pay Zenith St. Petersburg for much-needed centre half Martin Skrtel. The sale of Sissoko would surely ease their resistance to release funds.
Mascherano, meanwhile, will likely be made a Liverpool player either in January or over the summer; it would be a crime not to keep him. The Reds have ample midfield options now with the emergence of Brazilian Lucas Leiva.
In any event, I'm sure Liverpool fans will see Sissoko at Anfield again—even if it is in the famous black and white stripes of Juve.
He's magic, you know. You'll never get past Sissoko.
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