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In 2007, Liverpool fans had a song that paid homage to the "best midfield in the world." While the validity of that boast was questioned by some outside of Anfield, the mere fact that such a claim could not be immediately scoffed at was evidence enough of the undoubted quality that Liverpool possessed in the middle of the pitch. As the song explained: "We've got Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko, Gerrard and Mascherano-oh-oh." Quite a quartet, wasn't it? Liverpool reached the final of the Champions League that year, largely on the back of the strength of their midfield, as well as a solid back four. To put it in some kind of perspective, the side that lost to AC Milan in Athens in 2007 had a front three of Jermaine Pennant, Dirk Kuyt and Bolo Zenden. You might want to read that last sentence again just to let it sink in. Lucas Leiva would arrive to further bolster the midfield ranks that summer, but he was little more than an afterthought in his early years and was some distance behind the others. And to be brutally honest, if those players had remained at the club, he'd still be some distance behind most of them. The one exception would appear to be Mohamed "Momo" Sissoko, currently without a club after being released by Paris Saint-Germain. Given his less-than-stellar final year at Anfield and the way his career has gone since his departure, it's easy to forget just how good Sissoko was at one time. Certainly, the Sissoko of 2006 vintage would be a huge asset to Liverpool's present midfield, but for whatever reason the 2013 version is struggling to find a home, despite being only 28 years old. The Mali international was a revelation after joining Liverpool from Valencia, and his monstrous display in the FA Cup final win over West Ham is often overlooked due to the heroics of Steven Gerrard. That game is understandably known as "the Gerrard final" and yet -- the captain's goal heroics aside -- Sissoko was comfortably Liverpool's best player over the 120 minutes. With players dropping like flies due to cramps, Sissoko's incredible stamina and running power kept Liverpool in that game. He was everywhere, and at just 22 he appeared to have a big Anfield future ahead of him. Circumstances would dictate otherwise. The following season, Momo suffered two serious injuries, and his role as the midfield enforcer was taken on by Javier Mascherano, signed initially on loan from West Ham United in January 2007 before making the move permanent the following summer. Mascherano's quality meant that the young Mali international was never able to force his way back into the side. There's no shame in that, as there probably wasn't a defensive midfield player in the land who could have kept Mascherano on the sideline at that time. Except Hayden Mullins, of course, and even he must have been wondering exactly what Alan Pardew was thinking with that one. Read the rest of the article here. Click here to view the article

I'm not one of those Weller obsessives with the hair and threads, but I do love his stuff and admire his commitment to being true to himself. I watched that documentary on him on BBC2 the other week and was blown away by the sheer consistent quality of his stuff. He's a proper soul boy who also loves to rock. I reckon he's probably my favourite ever male vocalist (some feat when you consider the competition for my affections from Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Curtis Mayfield) and he is amazing live. I think I love his stuff equally throughout his career, although I'm not sure about some of the stuff post-Stanley Road which became very leaden. I was digging around on Amazon and spotted his new box set. Check out this track listing. The first two and a half CDs are so fucking strong, although I'm not sure about the latter one and a bit discs for the reasons mentioned above. It's deffo going on the Paul Christmas list. Disc: 1 1. In The City 2. All Around The World 3. The Modern World Single Version 4. News Of The World 5. David Watts Single Version 6. 'A' Bomb In Wardour Street Single Verson 7. Down In The Tube Station At Midnight Single Version 8. Strange Town 9. When You're Young 10. The Eton Rifles Single Version 11. Going Underground 12. The Dreams Of Children 13. Start! Single Version 14. That's Entertainment 15. Funeral Pyre Original Mix 16. Absolute Beginners 17. Town Called Malice 18. Precious Single Mix 19. Just Who Is The 5 O'Clock Hero? 20. The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had To Swallow) 21. Beat Surrender Disc: 2 1. Speak Like A Child 2. Money-Go-Round (Parts 1 & 2) Original Full 12 Inch Version 3. Long Hot Summer Single Edit 4. A Solid Bond In Your Heart 5. My Ever Changing Moods Single Edit 6. You're The Best Thing Single Edit 7. The Big Boss Groove Full Version 8. Shout To The Top Full Version 9. Walls Come Tumbling Down 10. Come To Milton Keynes 11. The Lodgers (Or She Was Only A Shopkeeper's Daughter) Extended Single Version 12. Have You Ever Had It Blue Cut/ Single Version 13. It Didn't Matter Single Edit 14. Waiting 15. Wanted (Or Waiter, There's Some Soup In My Flies) 16. Life At A Top Peoples Health Farm 17. How She Threw It All Away 18. Promised Land Radio Edit Disc: 3 1. Into Tomorrow Album Version 2. Uh Huh Oh Yeh! (Always There To Fool You!) 3. Above The Clouds Album / Single Version/ New Mix 4. Sunflower 5. Wild Wood 6. The Weaver Single Edit 7. Hung Up 8. Out Of The Sinking Original / Single Version 9. The Changingman Single Edit 10. You Do Something To Me 11. Broken Stones 12. Peacock Suit Single / Album Version 13. Brushed 14. Friday Street 15. Mermaids Disc: 4 1. Brand New Start 2. He's The Keeper Single Edit 3. Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea 4. It's Written In the Stars 5. Leafy Mysteries 6. The Bottle 7. Wishing On A Star (Single Version) 8. Thinking Of You 9. Early Morning Rain 10. From The Floorboards Up 11. Come On/Let's Go 12. Here's The Good News 13. Blink And You'll Miss It

From Skysports Alonso worried by 'negative' Reds By Chris Stanton - Created on 19 Nov 2006 Xabi Alonso believes the doom and gloom engulfing Liverpool has already all but scuppered their hopes of competing for the Premiership title. Another below par performance from The Reds in a goalless draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday evening means the team trail leaders Manchester United by 16 points after just 13 matches. A run of just two points from 21 available away from home has left their title hopes hanging by a thread. Alonso admits he would be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel, were it not for the negativity pervading the Anfield dressing room. "The fight for the title is getting more and more difficult for us," said Alonso. "Not just because of the points difference but because of the atmosphere I see at the club. "I see pessimism and in that respect it is going to be very hard to come back. "We can't put three straight wins together and are unable to transmit the spirit of Europe to league games. "I don't know if it is something psychological but we are very annoyed."