Cisse keeps Liverpool speculation alive

French international striker Djibril Cisse would welcome the chance to test himself against Premiership defences in the Liverpool…

French international striker Djibril Cisse would welcome the chance to test himself against Premiership defences in the Liverpool attack alongside Michael Owen.

Cisse, who scored 14 goals for French Cup finalists Auxerre this season, told the French sports daily l'Equipehe had been linked with many clubs but Liverpool was his first-choice.

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier and Auxerre coach Guy Roux are long-time friends and were reported to have talked about a transfer.

"That's probably happened," Cisse said.

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And although his hometown club Olympique Marseille have expressed an interest, he plumped for Liverpool.

"What's sure is I'd like to go to Liverpool," he said. "There's always the danger of failure but it's only by playing abroad you can test yourself. If things don't go alright I'll bounce back."

Houllier was believed to see the 21-year-old Cisse as a replacement for England striker Emile Heskey.

However Liverpool fans will be mindful Houllier's swoop into the French club market last summer for Senegal World Cup striker El-Hadji Diouf was less than successful.

And whether Cisse would be able to cope with the Premiership hype is another matter because he says he is already tired of the relatively low-key media attention in France.

"Sometimes all the media attention gets to you. Cisse, this, Cisse that. And you're punished if ever you miss a goal.

"It's a lack of respect to my team-mates. They put their share into the job, too."