Sami Hyypia will not be leaving, says Rafa Benitez

Jan 12 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

MOMO SISSOKO could have played his last game for Liverpool – but Rafael Benitez has ruled out the departure of Sami Hyypia during this month’s transfer window.

Benitez revealed that Sissoko is poised to leave the club with a number of clubs interested in his signature.

Juventus are leading the way for the 22-year-old, and are thought to be putting together a bid worth around £10million.

Sissoko, who has started just 10 games for Liverpool this season, is on African Cup of Nations duty with Mali until at least the end of the month.

And with the player having expressed a desire to find a new club, Benitez admitted he will allow Sissoko to depart for the right price.

“We have two or three clubs asking about Sissoko and we will try to find the best solution for him and the club,” said the Anfield manager. “If we get the right club and right offer we will be able to progress, both Momo and his agent know this.

“In a top side there is always tough competition. We have Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and then we bought in Lucas Leiva. Momo had some games this season but he has always been under press-ure for his place. He is a nice boy and a good profess-ional so we will try and find the right thing for him.”

However, Hyypia will not be following Sissoko through the Anfield exit door. With Liverpool having yesterday completed a £6million deal for Slovakian centre-back Martin Skrtel, Fulham were ready to make a move for Hyypia. But Benitez added: “I’m very pleased with Sami. We have four defenders now and we’ve seen the problems we can have if we just have three. We need the experience of Sami. He is not for sale.”

At present, Benitez also expects no further major arrivals at Anfield this month, even allowing for Sissoko’s imminent departure.

“We are happy now with the squad,” he said. “We have good competition in all the other positions and I feel we only needed a deal for a centre-back.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Premier League game at West ham United has been put back 24 hours and will now take place on Wednesday, January 30.