Ranieri admits Sissoko interest

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri has admitted he is keen on Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.

Sissoko is a reported target for Juve in the January transfer window and former Chelsea boss Ranieri has done little to quell the speculation.

“Sissoko is a player that I like a lot and I know him well,” said Ranieri.

“I have had the pleasure of coaching him at Valencia.”

Sissoko, 22, joined Liverpool in the summer of 2005 from Valencia and is under contract with the Merseyside club until June 2011.

The Mali international has made nine Premier League appearances for Liverpool this season but has struggled to hold down a place in Rafael Benitez’s first-choice XI.