Cisse happy as Anfield fortunes rise
Liverpool top scorer Djibril Cisse admits he is a much calmer, contented player these days after enduring a turbulent period at Anfield.
The 24-year-old, who has 11 goals from 22 games for the Reds as well as four for France which will see him heading to the World Cup finals next summer with nine from 26 matches, has a new mood of confidence.
Talk of him being sold has died away and he is happy to play on the right - even in goal – if that is what boss Rafael Benitez wants.
Cisse can expect to be heavily involved as Liverpool bid to reach the Champions League last 16 by avoiding defeat against Real Betis at Anfield tomorrow.
The big striker is even scoring with fluke crosses these days, such as against Portsmouth as the Reds won 3-0.
He admitted: “Yes, I didn’t mean that one against Portsmouth, but I’m more than happy that it dropped in.
“I am enjoying my football. I had some luck to score on Saturday against Portsmouth. Things are going well for me.
“I am happy to play on the right, particularly when I score like that. But I will do it for the team. It is better to play on the right rather than sit on the bench.
“I am also pleased with the amount of goals I have scored so far, even though I know I can do better and score more.
“It is totally different to what I was like this time last year. I was on crutches and now I am enjoying every minute. Even if I played in goal I’d be happy. As long as I am playing it doesn’t matter where. I am just happy to be in the team.”
Cisse is confident Liverpool can complete their qualification for the next stage of the Champions League before they must play at Chelsea in the final group game.
He says: “We only need a point to qualify, but we are not going to think of just drawing. We need to win in front of our own fans. There is no thought of playing for a draw. That can be very dangerous.
"We need the right approach and mentality and we will get three points.
“We beat them in Seville, but they have beaten Chelsea in the group and must be confident. They need to win and they know that will keep them in with a chance of reaching the last 16, so it is up to us to approach the game in the right way and make sure we are the team on top.
“They will come at us. Only a win will do for them, but we can handle that. I am sure we will cope and get through.
“We have a great team spirit here. We can challenge Chelsea on that front, and that will carry us through a difficult match.
“We are happy with our form, winning games and enjoying football. I am even scoring with crosses. I didn’t mean that. My face surely showed that, but they are still going in.”
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