Former Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko was a fan favorite at Anfield and was part of a midfield that included Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano
Fernando Morientes (L) is congratulated by Steven Gerrard (2ndL), Harry Kewell (R) and Momo Sissoko while playing against Birmingham during their FA Cup quarter final match at Saint Andrews stadium in Birmingham, 21 March 2006.
Momo Sissoko spent three years at Liverpool(Image: getty images)
Momo Sissoko previously disclosed that he rejected an approach from Barcelona in order to remain at Liverpool. The ex-Reds midfielder spent three years at the club between 2005 and 2008, establishing himself as a firm favourite amongst the Anfield support.
Much like Ronald Araujo, who was so keen on a switch to Liverpool that he was prepared to accept reduced wages, the former Mali international placed his contentment above all else when learning of the Catalan club's interest during the summer of 2007.
Sissoko, 41, had secured the FA Cup the previous season and featured in the Champions League final in 2007. He later outlined his reasoning to FourFourTwo: "I rejected Barcelona's offer. I received their proposal and we were in advanced talks, but I was happy at Liverpool.
"I didn't want to go anywhere and decided to stay. I had a great time with Liverpool – the best game was the FA Cup final against West Ham. We came from 2-0 down to win and lift the cup."
Sissoko formed part of a Liverpool midfield that featured Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, who were celebrated in song by the Anfield faithful. Sharing the pitch with the former Reds skipper and the current Chelsea manager proved invaluable for Sissoko's development, reports the Liverpool Echo.
He explained: "I was young and they taught me a lot. They were two masters. Just watching Gerrard in training was a big lesson for me. He was the type of leader who would die for his club and for his city.
CARDIFF, WALES - May 13: Steven Gerrard, Mohamed Sissoko, Fernando Morientes, Djibril Cisse, Steve Finnan and Jan Kromkamp of Liverpool celebrate after winning Penalty shoot out of the FA Cup Final match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Millennium Stadium on May 13, 2006 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Paul Mcfegan/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Sissoko was part of the Liverpool team that won the FA Cup in 2006(Image: Sportsphoto/Allstar, Getty Images)
"Ahead of the derbies, he used to speak to the whole squad and say, 'We need to win – I was born here and I've got to win. This is my jersey, my club and my city. I could die for Liverpool – now let's go out there and do what we have to'.
"He didn't have to raise his voice or get angry with other players. He had that ability to find the right things to say."
Sissoko's arrival at Liverpool in 2005 marked a reunion with Rafa Benítez, under whom he had previously served at Valencia, the pair having claimed La Liga glory together.
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The former Reds boss frequently drew comparisons between Sissoko and Patrick Vieira, citing their comparable attributes as powerful midfield operators. Despite the flattering nature of such a parallel, it was not a likeness Sissoko particularly relished.
He added: "When a manager like Benitez says something like that about you, it's an honor. But I didn't want to be Vieira. I wanted to be Sissoko – to train and play as well as possible, to become the best player I could. I didn't feel pressure on account of the comparison. It only pushed me to give my best."
Sissoko eventually left Merseyside to join Juventus, spending three years in Turin before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2011. He subsequently had spells in Spain, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Hong Kong before hanging up his boots in 2019 following a brief stint with French club Sochaux.