Liverpool lose Sissoko to shoulder injury

LONDON, Nov 9 (Reuters) Liverpool's Mali international Mohamed Sissoko faces more than a month on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in their League Cup win at Birmingham City.

''We are keeping our fingers crossed but I think it's serious,'' Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez said after yesterday's 1-0 fourth round win over the second division club.

''We need all of our players and we know that Momo gives us wonderful energy in the middle of the field, but it's clear we could be without him for a long while, at least one month.'' Sissoko suffered the injury after falling awkwardly midway through the first half of a win that took the Premier League side through to the quarter-finals.

A key figure in Benitez's midfield since the Spaniard signed the 21-year-old from Valencia in 2005, Sissoko has been unfortunate with injuries.

He suffered eye damage that could have ended the French-born player's career during a Champions League game against Benfica in February, but was able to make his comeback a month later.

''Momo is unlucky with injuries, especially with the kind of injuries he has received, the eye last season and now the shoulder,'' Benitez said. ''They are not very common injuries.'' REUTERS SAN VV1545