Carragher so impressed with Sissoko

Jamie Carragher has been impressed with Mohamed Sissoko’s form and believes the Mali international is making it impossible for Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez to leave him out.

Benitez claims Sissoko will allow Steven Gerrard to rest over the coming season and the 20-year-old, who arrived for £5.6m (€8.2m) from Benitez’s former club Valencia in July, has so far produced a string of top performances.

As a result, veteran Dietmar Hamann has been marginalised and Sissoko has given Liverpool the perfect foil for Xabi Alonso and Gerrard in midfield, with the trio set to play against Manchester United at Anfield tomorrow.

Benitez, when he first signed the player, said: “When the others see how much he runs they will know they have competition.”

Sissoko, compared by Benitez to Patrick Vieira, has forced his way into the side in recent weeks, and starred in the Champions League win against Real Betis.

Carragher has watched Sissoko’s introduction into the team from his place in the heart of defence, and has been impressed.

“He’s one of the first names on the team-sheet at the moment,” said Carragher. “Our four central midfielders are as strong as any club in Europe now so the manager has a lot of options, but the way Sissoko is playing he’s making it virtually impossible for the manager to leave him out.

“Momo’s been superb. If he can continue to turn in the kind of performances he has been so far then I think we have a real player on our hands.

“People have compared him to Patrick Vieira and I can see that. I normally don’t like to compare players because you can end up with egg on your face but he is very similar to Vieira.

“The way he runs is the same, and the way he gets tackles in with his long legs when he looks like he can’t get to the ball is similar to Vieira as well.

“He’s good with the ball, he plays with great pace running through midfield and he’s always closing players down trying to win the ball. I think, though, that people should talk about how good Sissoko is rather than comparing him to anyone else.”

Benitez, however, sees Sissoko as a player to allow his skipper Gerrard recovery time, adding: “I will have the chance to rest Steven this season, because of the quality of Sissoko.

“Last year we had Igor Biscan, who was a good player, but not as good as Sissoko and Gerrard.

“Momo has a similar game to Gerrard, so if either or both are playing I know I am going to have a midfield which always has a lot of energy and high tempo.”

Gerrard will return to the side to face United after being used for only the last 19 minutes against Betis.

Steve Finnan may also replace Josemi, but Benitez has for the first time since his arrival got a near full-strength squad to choose from and to rotate as he wants.