Praise for Momo

Although it is Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso who generate all the press headlines Rafa Benitez believes it is Momo Sissoko is the player every Premiership manager would want in his team.

"Momo was one of the most important players for us last season and I was really surprised that he didn't even get a mention the Young Player awards. I can't think of many better," said Benitez.

"He is a young player who every manager in the Premiership would want in his squad, and I would have thought that would have made him a contender. His running is incredible. He is an athlete, almost like a Kenyan middle-distance runner, and even though people don't seem to talk about him, he is very important to this team.

"He is not the finished article, but he is such a good worker. You tell him he needs to improve something and he is practise, practise, practise every day."