my liverpool fc

Former striker out to sink Liverpool on Anfield return

Last updated: 2nd October 2007

Cisse: Back at Anfield with Marseille

Liverpool were always my number one choice to stay, but you cannot always have what you want in football.

Marseille's Djibril Cisse is relishing his Anfield return and believes he is "bonded" to Liverpool fans for life.

The France striker will be back on Merseyside on Wednesay, having shared in the Reds' UEFA Champions League final win two seasons ago.

There is a doubt over Cisse's involvement after he picked up an ankle injury this week and has only been able to train for the last two days.

But he will not want to miss out and still has great memories of his time at Liverpool after completing a permanent move back to France in the summer.

He said: "Liverpool were always my number one choice to stay, but you cannot always have what you want in football.

Memories

"I have so many good memories of my time here. The Champions League final, the Super Cup and FA Cup finals, I feel bonded to this club.

"The win in Istanbul is the highlight. It was such a crazy game and a crazy night. No player could ever forget that and I imagine the fans will always remember it.

"That is what bonds us, the players and the fans who were all there that night. It is something that will stay with me forever."

But those tremendous memories will not stop him wanting to score at Anfield in this Group A clash, having scored for Marseille in their earlier victory over Besiktas.

He said: "We have not been playing well this season so it will be difficult for us against Liverpool.

"Our 2-0 win over Besiktas is the type of result that can turn a season around. Because of how we have been playing, we were not expected to win that one."

Cisse added: "That win gave us all a lift, it was more like what the fans expect from us. I scored and I want to score at Anfield.

"It does not matter if it is against your old club, my job is to score goals for whoever I play for."

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Frenchman understands why Benitez let him go

By Patrick Haond Last updated: 2nd October 2007

Cisse: Praise for Benitez

Djibril Cisse has insisted he does not feel any resentment towards Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

Benitez gave Cisse few opportunities to impress at Anfield before letting the Frenchman join Marseille on loan in July 2006.

He completed a permanent move to Marseille this summer and is looking forward to lining up against his former club in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Cisse maintains that he departed Liverpool on good terms with Benitez, and can understand why he was not successful on Merseyside.

"I have nothing against him. We had to clear the air a few times, but we always had a courteous relationship," Cisse told France Football.

"He told me I am not his style of player, that's all. He has been very frank. I have no regrets, no hate towards him.

"Benitez is a great coach, and has proved it. Even if I didn't enter his choices I will not denigrate him. The results speak for him."

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CISSE HAILS FORMER TEAM-MATE STEVIE Paul Hassall 01 October 2007
	Djibril Cisse has told his Marseille team-mates they will have to stop the best midfielder in the world if they're to have any chance of beating Liverpool.
Cisse is relishing his first return to Anfield since leaving the club last year when the two sides meet with three Champions League points at stake on Wednesday night. "In my opinion Steven Gerrard is the best player in his position anywhere in the world. He is magnificent," he said. "At times it seems like he can win a match all on his own. He has such ability to dominate a game, to turn a game around or run away with it. "He scores goals, he makes goals and he stops goals. He is the all round, all action midfielder. He is a great guy and a good friend. "When the draw was made I was looking over at Bolo Zenden to see who we would get. And as soon as Liverpool were drawn I was straight on the phone to Steve. I said to him: 'Are you ready for this?' and he just laughed and said: 'Yes, we're ready for you'. "So it will be great to go back to Anfield and see all my other friends there. I think it will be very special although a little strnge wearing a different coloured shirt. "But I'm sure the atmosphere will be amazing. There is something incredible about the big Euro nights at Anfield, maybe because the club has such a great tradition in European competition." Meanwhile, Cisse is hoping for a good reception from the Liverpool fans on what he knows will be an emotional night for him. "I just hope they don't boo me," he added. "It will be very emotional for me, meeting and playing against my old teammates. I am really looking forward to seeing all the Liverpool fans again."

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Djibril Cisse's agent has confirmed that the Liverpool striker will snub interest from three English clubs to join Marseille.

The French international spent the season on loan with l'OM and is now set on finalising a permanent move, despite interest from the Premier League.

West Ham, Portsmouth and Bolton had all shown interest in Cisse, according to his agent Ranko Stojic.

"Marseille is definitely the choice for Djibril," Stojic told the BBC. "I think the deal will happen on Friday or Saturday.

"I have been very busy this week - I caught six planes in two days - and I am sorry for the people I have not had the chance to call back, Mr Eggert Magnusson of West Ham for example.

"The Marseille option is the best choice for Djibril because of the Champions League.

"West Ham, Bolton and Portsmouth I understand are very, very good clubs but Djibril wants to play in the top level of European competition next season."

Marseille will be looking for Cisse to play a leading role in their UEFA Champions League campaign next season after losing attacking talisman Franck Ribery to Bayern Munich.

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LIVERPOOL will step up their attempt to sell Djibril Cisse before the end of the week – and boost their chances of landing Fernando Torres into the bargain.

It looks increasingly likely that Liverpool will have to smash their record transfer outlay by more than £10million to land the Atletico Madrid striker as his club stick steadfastly to their refusal to shift from a release clause in the region of £27million.

Manager Rafael Benitez has given no indication that his transfer budget can stretch this far on one player and is lining up a series of targets as back-up.

But netting a fee in the region of £8m for Cisse, who is Liverpool’s record buy after his £14m switch from Auxerre in 2004, will help raise the money for a bid that will capture 23-year-old Atletico skipper Torres.

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Rafa Benitez insists Djibril Cisse will only leave Liverpool on a permanent basis this summer.

Cisse spent last term on loan at Marseille and the French club are keen to hold on to the striker next season.

Marseille would prefer another loan, but have confirmed talks are ongoing regarding a deal in the region of £8million.

Bolton Wanderers are also reported to have expressed an interest in Cisse, and Reds boss Benitez outlined the club's stance on the France international.

"The situation with Cisse is clear," Benitez told the club's official website. "If another club wants him, they must buy the player.

"We do not want another loan."

Marseille chairman Pape Diouf remains upbeat about the chances of agreeing a deal with Liverpool for Cisse.

Diouf told his club's official website: "I hope that, some time next week, we will be able to find an adequate solution.

"Our wish, clearly stated, is to keep Djibril Cisse with us and his wish is to remain with us.

"It is a deal which we wish to carry out quickly in the long term."

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