Sissoko has retina damage
ByReuters
Published 22/02/2006 at 18:13 GMT
Liverpool's Momo Sissoko damaged his right eye's retina after being kicked in the head during the 1-0 Champions League defeat by Benfica. The Mali midfielder, whose sight has been affected by the injury, spent the night in a Lisbon hospital after Tuesday's opening leg of the first knockout round.
FOOTBALL 2005-2006 UEFA Champions League Benfica-Liverpool Sissoko injured
Image credit: Reuters
"Momo has undergone further tests this morning which have confirmed damage to the retina in his right eye," European Cup holders Liverpool said on their official website.
"The injury is currently affecting his eyesight. Further consultations with eye specialists have been arranged for when the player returns to England."
Nobody at the CUF Hospital in Lisbon was immediately available to comment on whether Sissoko had been discharged.
He took a kicked in the face from a high challenge by midfielder Beto on the half hour and went off on a stretcher.
Beto was booked and Sissoko was replaced by Dietmar Hamann.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dr Joao Paco, clinical director of the CUF Hospital, said Sissoko, 21, had undergone a CAT scan and other examinations.
LUISAO WINNER
Liverpool lost the match at the Stadium of Light when Brazilian defender Luisao headed the only goal six minutes from time. The second leg is at Anfield on March 8.
"For Liverpool the Champions League is important. I don't know why they left (captain Steve) Gerrard or (striker Peter) Crouch on the bench," Benfica coach Ronald Koeman said.
"There are other coaches besides me that would bet on rotating. But they suffered their first loss in the Champions League and right now we're a little bit more favoured.
"It could be that with this result we have more chances. They're greater than they were before the game," he told reporters.
Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez said: "Benfica showed itself (to be) a tough team that knows how to put on the pressure.
"In the second leg game, we're going to have to play better. We're going to try to score a goal and maybe with the fans' help we'll be able to score a second."
Asked about Gerrard, who had a 'dead leg' but came on in the closing minutes, Benitez said: "He tried to help the team in the final minutes, before that the risk was too high. I prefer to have him out for 80 minutes instead of an entire month."
Liverpool's recently returned striker Robbie Fowler, who played his first Champions League game since 2001, believes the holders can turn the tie around on Merseyside.
"I think Liverpool are famous for our European nights," he told the club's website. "Come two weeks Wednesday, I think it will be a special night. The fans will get right behind us and it'll be up to us then."
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