Momo Sissoko sale will be key to Liverpool deal for Mascherano

Jan 25 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

MOMO SISSOKO could hold the key to Javier Mascherano’s Liverpool future.

The Anfield hierarchy has previously insisted that any decision over whether to rubber-stamp a £17million deal for Mascherano would not be made until the end of the season.

But now the money from the impending £9m sale of Sissoko to Juventus may be used to bring forward their attempts to sign the Argentina international.

The move could signal a way for American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to start winning back the faith of the supporters.

Sissoko, who is currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Mali in Ghana, will fly to Italy during the next few days for talks with Juventus over his proposed transfer.

While happy for Sissoko to depart, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has always remains confident Mascherano – who is reaching the end of his 18-month loan spell at the club – will make his stay permanent.

Liverpool have already agreed a £17m fee with MSI, who own the player’s registration, and a contract with the 23-year-old has also been negotiated.

But with Juventus and AC Milan reportedly tracking Mascherano, the midfielder again admitted yesterday that he may be forced to agree a move elsewhere in the summer.

“I would love to stay here (in Liverpool),” said Mascherano. “I have tried and I’ve adapted to the city very well.

“But the clubs that are talking are also important and I would like to go.”

The player’s agent Walter Tamer said: “Liverpool have not made any offer at all to buy Javier and it is likely that he will go to Italy next season.”

Definitely leaving Anfield – at least on a temporary basis – is centre-back Jack Hobbs, who will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Coca-Cola Championship outfit Scunthorpe United.

The 19-year-old

reserve team captain made his first-team debut as a last-minute substitute during a 4-2 Carling Cup win at Reading in September.

Hobbs made a further four appearances for this season, the most recent during the 2-0 Carling Cup quarter-final defeat at Chelsea, after being given an opportunity by the long-term metatarsal injury to Daniel Agger.

But the arrival this month of £6.5m defender Martin Skrtel and the impending return to fitness of Agger have persuaded Liverpool to allow Hobbs to gain further experience with Scunthorpe.

Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso is fascinated by the fact that non-league side Havant and Waterlooville can play Liverpool in the FA Cup.

The Blue Square South team, who are 123 places below Benitez’s side in the league pyramid, visit Anfield tomorrow for their fourth round tie.

And Spanish midfielder Alonso said: “In Spain, you can only play teams up to two divisions below you.

“But this is all part of the glamour and the prestige that the FA Cup has.

“This is why it is so interesting.

“It is the oldest football competition in history and it means so much to the supporters in this country.

“Every supporter, whether they follow a big or a small club, knows their team will be in it and that is important.”