Cisse - Cisse denies rafa rift
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:49 pmDjibril Cisse has insisted he always had a very good relationship with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
Cisse completed a permanent move to Marseille earlier this summer, after spending last season on loan at the French club.
The transfer was a somewhat protracted affair, but Cisse insists he still departed Liverpool on good terms with Benitez.
"I expected a small battle with Liverpool," he told France Football.
"It went off smoothly but we had to be persuasive. Liverpool wanted to defend their interests, as did Marseille.
"With Benitez, we had some talks to clear the air, but our relationship has always been very courteous.
"Benitez is a great coach and has already proved it, even if I was not part of his plans."
Cisse was tracked by a number of clubs in England and Spain before joining Marseille, but he did not consider any of the other options.
He explained: "The contacts with Bolton, West Ham, Manchester City, Portsmouth and Atletico Madrid? I told my agent to thank a lot those clubs, but those teams didn't match my career path, not at 26-years-old."
Cisse added: "In the Champions League? I would like to play Liverpool. I would like to tease them at Anfield."
Cisse completed a permanent move to Marseille earlier this summer, after spending last season on loan at the French club.
The transfer was a somewhat protracted affair, but Cisse insists he still departed Liverpool on good terms with Benitez.
"I expected a small battle with Liverpool," he told France Football.
"It went off smoothly but we had to be persuasive. Liverpool wanted to defend their interests, as did Marseille.
"With Benitez, we had some talks to clear the air, but our relationship has always been very courteous.
"Benitez is a great coach and has already proved it, even if I was not part of his plans."
Cisse was tracked by a number of clubs in England and Spain before joining Marseille, but he did not consider any of the other options.
He explained: "The contacts with Bolton, West Ham, Manchester City, Portsmouth and Atletico Madrid? I told my agent to thank a lot those clubs, but those teams didn't match my career path, not at 26-years-old."
Cisse added: "In the Champions League? I would like to play Liverpool. I would like to tease them at Anfield."
