'MUSIC MAN' SISSOKO GOES BACK TO SCHOOL
From playing football in the school yard to singing 'The wheels on the bus' with Momo Sissoko - it’s fair to say Thursday afternoon was not a normal day in the life of those attending All Saints' Catholic Primary School in Anfield.
But then who could say that watching the Mali international playing an imaginary trumpet to the tune of 'Music Man' was anything but 'normal.'
It was of course, all to do with his guest appearance at the school as part of the club's community team's 'Truth 4 Youth' programme.
The scheme involves visiting schools across the city to hold assemblies that tackle key issues such as bullying and racism and enable children to learn from the experiences of others in an entertaining and informative way.
Club chaplain Bill Bygroves began the proceedings, guitar in hand, before he was cut short in mid-sentence by the sound of his mobile phone ringing.
"Who’s that?" he asked.
The children looked on in anticipation.
"Momo? Momo Sissoko. What, you're here now?" He continued.
"You've heard that it is a fantastic school with great pupils and would like to meet them..."
Cue Momo's entrance to rapturous applause.
The Reds midfielder seemed a little bewildered at first but soon found himself in the thick of the action after watching six pupils run through the key teachings of ‘Truth 4 youth.’
The slogans chosen were:
'KICK DRUGS INTO TOUCH'
'GIVE BULLYING THE BOOT'
'SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD'
'MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING A GOOD FOOTBALLER IS BEING A GOOD PERSON'
‘SHOOT GOALS NOT GUNS’
'YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE.'
Sitting proudly amidst to all the excitement was of course the European Cup.
'Old Big Ears' has no doubt seen its fair share of singing and dancing over the years but the rendition of 'She'll be coming down the mountain' must have been a first.
Momo was hitting all the right notes and later admitted that he had, "really enjoyed the singing.”
But before the Mali international could have any ideas about a change in profession it was time for some Q & A.
When it comes to children you should never expect the predictable and the quickfire questions revealed the revelation that Momo has never had fish and chips and that the thing he likes most about Liverpool is the city centre and the restaurants.
After becoming a father for the first time earlier this week Sissoko admitted that he had had a great time talking with the children and was more than happy to sign a Liverpool shirt that would take pride of place in the school's reception area.
It was clear to see that the afternoon had made a big impression on both the youngsters and Momo himself and maybe, just maybe, the next time Sissoko is on the scoresheet for the Reds he may treat us to another performance on that imaginary trumpet of his.
The Official Liverpool thread 2007/08
