Mali's Mohamed Sissoko has emerged as the favourite to be named
Liverpool's player of the year after battling his way back from a
horrific eye injury that had threatened to end his career.
The midfielder feared his playing days were over when he was
temporarily blinded in one eye after being kicked in the face
during the English club's Champions League match against the
Portuguese side Benfica in February.
But the Sissoko has defied the odds to return to the Liverpool
starting line-up, providing admiration and inspiration for his
team-mates.
"Sissoko has been one of the top performers this season, not just
for Liverpool but right across the country, and he is only 21,"
said Liverpool's England defender Jamie Carragher.
"To come back from the accident he had in Lisbon has been
impressive, and to come straight back into big matches like the
derby says it all, he has been tremendous for us all season."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez knew all about Sissoko from his time
at Valencia.
"When the technical director at Valencia decided to sign him I gave
him every support," Benitez recalled.
"He was initially signed for the reserve team but in pre-season I
said: 'He will stay with us in the first-team squad'.
"We were surprised to see how much energy he had and how hard he
worked. He was so focused, is a good professional and a nice young
man.
"As a manager he is the kind of player you like to have when he is
young because you can work and teach him, he is like a
sponge."
