Sorry if Romario, but a nice article and some nice words said by Cisse about us: Cisse Smooth Talks Return to Anfield Djibril Cisse could be forgiven for feeling he has a point to prove as he makes a Champions League return to Anfield on Wednesday night, but the Marseille striker is in no mood to reopen a feud with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez. The football fates were not kind to Cisse as he agreed to join a the Reds in the summer of 2004, with manager Gerard Houllier seemingly intent on making him a Premier League star. The world appeared to be at his feet, yet by the time he kicked his first ball in anger for the club, Spaniard Benitez was his boss and he was always up against it in his bid to become an Anfield hero. Throw in the fact that he suffered a series of serious injuries during his spell on Merseyside and it's hardly surprising that he was viewed by cynics as a £14million flop during his two turbulent years in the famous red shirt. Often played out of position and criticised by many for what was perceived as an over inflated ego, his Gallic temperament may have been managed astutely had compatriot Houllier stayed in charge. Instead, Benitez's insistence on constant squad rotation and his tendency to use Cisse in a role on the right wing infuriated a player whose confidence in his own ability has never been an issue and few were disappointed when a parting of the ways was confirmed in the summer of 2006. While it would be natural to suspect the French international hit-man is more than a little keen to get one over on the manager who played a part in tarnishing his career for good, he insists Wednesday night's Champions League game at Anfield should not be billed as Cisse v Benitez. It's safe to assume his platitudes will go down well with supporters who often struggled to fully appreciate the talents of a striker who scored a penalty in the shoot out as they famously claimed the 2005 Champions League crown in that Final against AC Milan. 'When I heard that Marseille had been drawn in the same group as Liverpool, I had mixed feelings,' begins Cisse. 'On the one hand, I was so excited to be going back to Anfield and taste again that special atmosphere there. On the other, there's the danger I will be distracted by all the media excitement about returning to the club. It will be great to see old friends, but I must not lose sight of the fact that I've a vital European tie to perform in. 'European nights in Liverpool are absolutely unique. If Anfield is a cauldron of noise for a Premier League game, the volume gets turned up a few more notches in the Champions League. It hits the opposition straight between the eyes and the Marseille players will have to be very strong mentally to stand up to it. Culturally and historically, Liverpool see the Champions League as their competition and that gives them an important edge. 'From a personal point of view, I don't feel I have anything to prove to Liverpool or Rafa Benitez. Obvious, I was irritated by his decision to play me wide on the right at times as it's well known that I'm at my best through the middle. Still, this discussion is in the past now. I had my difficult moments in Liverpool, especially when I broke my leg at Blackburn, but I generally look at my two seasons there as a positive experience. 'I scored goals and played my part in the club winning the FA Cup and Champions League so overall, Liverpool was good for me. How could it be otherwise? Coming from three-nil down to beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final was the greatest moment of my career and nothing can ever top it. What we achieved that night in Istanbul was incredible. On reflection I don't know how we managed it, but we did and this sort of fairy story could only happen at a club with such a glorious European pedigree as Liverpool.' They are surprisingly warm and humble words from a performer whose colourful appearance has often overshadowed the talents he clearly possesses. Anyone who chooses to wear bleached blonde hair and an equally glaring beard will raise suspicions of eccentricity, so he was always going to struggle to win over supporters in a working class city like Liverpool. With that in mind, it's hard to guess what sort of reception Cisse will receive when he steps out onto the stage he rarely made his own, yet Marseille fans will be expecting their talisman to turn in the sort of match-winning performance many have long believed he is capable of. Blessed with pace and skill, he appeared to be 'the next big thing' in French football before two serious leg breaks and the former Auxerre marksman will be keen to use the Champions League platform to prove he is still a force to be reckoned with at the highest level. And it may be that his inside knowledge on the Liverpool team who will be squaring up to Eric Gerets' Marseille side this week could be a key factor in the outcome of the crucial Champions League Group A encounter. 'I wouldn't be so presumptuous to lay down a game plan to counter them, but I can obviously offer some inside information about how Liverpool like to operate, on their set-pieces for example,' he states. 'Where I can be useful is to help the boys prepare on a mental level for the trip to Anfield. My opinion is that Liverpool is one of the most ruthless teams in the world. Switch off for a split-second against them and they will make you pay. That's their hallmark. I could go on forever about their brilliant individuals, but they wouldn't be half the force without the organisation, commitment, intensity and the backing of the Kop.' The uncertainty surrounding Marseille in the opening few weeks of the season was emphasised by the decision to change their coach and Cisse accepts they have much to prove under the guidance of Gerets. 'Our problem is that our domestic form is poor,' he concludes. 'We are struggling for confidence and momentum and it's not easy to break out of this spiral of defeats. 'My hope is that the Champions League can be a springboard to a quick recovery. Liverpool are favourites, there's no use denying it, but if we stick together, we are capable of getting a result at Anfield. Marseille have a reputation for coming alive in the big games too.' Djibril Cisse has always liked to think of himself as a big time player and while his polite words for his former employers may surprise a few, you know he will be more motivated than ever as he becomes a Champions League star at Anfield once again this week. ESPN Soccernet
