by Paul C » Tue May 30, 2006 3:45 pm
From icliverpool.co.uk (Daily Post):
DJIBRIL CISSE has played his last game for Liverpool after revealing he is in talks over a return to France because he feels unwanted by Rafael Benitez.
The 24-year-old striker, who is currently preparing with the French squad for the World Cup, has been made available for sale by Benitez.
Cisse had previously been adamant he did not want to leave Liverpool having netted 19 goals last season, including one in the FA Cup final victory over West Ham United.
But yesterday the forward conceded he was seeking a move back to his homeland after claiming he had lost the confidence of Benitez.
"It will be very difficult for me to stay," said Cisse. "I have experienced a very difficult season and I don't want to go through another one like it.
"It is a pity because I love Liverpool and I feel at home there, but apparently the coach does not like me.
"Now I have a coach who doesn't want me. Benitez doesn't use me, so I've taken a step back. I don't have the confidence of the coach; he doesn't like me.
"I am in contact with Marseille and Lyon and I have also had an approach from Paris St Germain. I want to decide very quickly."
Cisse hinted he would prefer a move to Lyon to play under Gerard Houllier, and was willing to take a pay cut to realise his ambition.
"Houllier signed me for Liverpool but I never had the chance to work with him.
"Financially, you have to make some sacrifices and I'm ready to make them," he said. "My heart leans to Marseille, but Lyon play in the Champions League and is a more stable club."
Cisse also claimed Liverpool blocked a move to Marseille during January.
Liverpool accept they will make a huge loss on a player they bought for a club record £14million from Auxerre two years ago.
Nevertheless, the Anfield side will not allow Cisse to leave on the cheap as they look to provide Benitez with funds to reinforce Liverpool's striking department.
Cisse's impending exit would follow that of Fernando Morientes, who admitted that joining Valencia was his "only option" once the La Liga side declared an interest in taking him back to Spain.
The 30-year-old will officially bring an end to a disappointing spell in England by passing a medical tomorrow after signing a three-year contract at the Mestalla in a deal worth around £3million.
And Morientes said: "It was very clear to me that had I not gone to a club like Valencia, I wouldn't have left at all. It's something that I wanted, I had two years left on my contract with Liverpool but this option came along and I had no doubts, it was my only option."