I’ve never wanted to leave, says Sissoko

Jun 29 2007 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

Mohamed Sissoko celebrates with the trophy after Liverpool defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium - Picture: DAVID DAVIES (158)

MOMO SISSOKO insisted he never gave any thought to leaving Liverpool after signing a new four-year contract last night.

The 22-year-old Mali international was linked with a move away from Anfield following a season disrupted by injury and which ended with him losing his first-team place to Javier Mascherano.

Italian giants Juventus were one of the clubs ready to bid for Sissoko after he was left out of the Champions League final against AC Milan, but manager Rafael Benitez was determined to tie up the long-term future of the player he brought from previous club Valencia for £5.6million two years ago.

And after putting pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Liverpool until 2011, Sissoko said: “It was never in my thoughts to leave Liverpool. I read about the speculation linking me with other clubs but I am already at a big, big club and it’s an honour for me to be able to call myself a Liverpool player.”

Sissoko is also relishing the fight for places, which will intensify when Brazilian Lucas Leiva joins the squad to battle for the central midfield positions.

“I know I’ll face a battle for a place in the team as we have so many great midfielders but I’m prepared to fight for a position,” said Sissoko.

“I feel fresh and can’t wait for the new season to start. I am injury-free.

“It obviously gave me a huge boost to my confidence that the manager believes in me and wanted me to stay at the club. Now I want to repay him on the pitch.”

Sissoko joins Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso in signing new contracts this summer, with Steve Finnan due to follow suit.

And latest new recruit Mikel San Jose has set his sights on breaking into Liverpool’s first team after sealing his move from Athletic Bilbao.

The 18-year-old defender joined for a fee of around £275,000 to become manager Rafael Benitez’s second teenage signing in 24 hours following Bulgarian international goalkeeper Nikolay MIkhailov.

San Jose said: “It was a surprise for me but I have decided to accept the chance at Liverpool.

“I am very excited but now I know that I have to work more each day to get in the first team.”