New Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is determined to forge a partnership with Michael Owen.

The 22-year-old Frenchman, who is joining Liverpool from Auxerre for a fee believed to be about £14 million, cannot wait to link up with the England striker.

Owen, who has 12 months to run on his current deal, has yet to decided on his long-term future.

Cisse hopes he stays. "For me, it would be a pleasure to play alongside Michael Owen," he said. "Just to be with him in training would be great. I would love him to stay at Liverpool.

"With Owen, I feel we can do a good job. He is a great player and we are going to do good things."

Cisse scored 23 goals last season and his performances took the eye of former manager Gerard Houllier.

Now he has to impress new coach Rafael Benitez, who was previously in charge of Valencia.

"From my point of view it does not matter if Houllier is at the club, absolutely not," said Cisse.

"Gerard Houllier's position makes no difference. I want to wear the shirt of this club.

"A few clubs have been interested but I always wanted to play in England, particularly for Liverpool because I first heard of their interest two years ago."