It didn’t take long for the Frenchman to score his first goal in red, slotting past Paul Robinson in the 38th minute at White Hart Lane as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Spurs on opening day. Cisse scored three goals in eight games while Rafa tinkered between shapes and line ups, with the pacey forward leading the line ahead of Luis Garcia, as well as playing in a two with Milan Baros. Before having a chance to settle, cruel luck ruled the Reds’ striker out for five months, suffering a broken leg against Blackburn Rovers. An initial spell of promise would now be a spell on the sidelines, but the former Auxerre forward’s season was far from over. Benitez reintroduced his summer signing in April during a masterclass at the Stadio delle Alpi. A goalless draw sent Liverpool through to the Champions League semi-finals, knocking out Juventus 2-1 on aggregate. Chelsea waited in the next round of a tournament that was becoming ever more important as the Reds struggled in the league for a place in the top four. A Cisse brace on the last day of the season against Aston Villa meant Liverpool held off Bolton for fifth place, but whether the Reds would return to Europe’s best competition would now depend on an evening in Istanbul. We know what happened there. As first seasons go, it couldn’t have been more of a roller coaster. The initial excitement of signing for Liverpool and playing in the Premier League, the injury and process of going through rehabilitation to get back to fitness, to then becoming a Champions League winner.14 August 2004
— LFChistory.net (@LFChistory) August 14, 2019
A 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane doesn't sound impressive, but the game is worth mentioning for 2 reasons:
– Djibril Cisse scores his first #LFC goal (not including friendly games)
– Benitez leads the team for the first time in the Premier League pic.twitter.com/hJPpvjxqm6
Last time #LFC played in the UEFA Super Cup, they defeated CSKA Moscow 3-1 after extra time (1-1 after 90 minutes).
— LFChistory.net (@LFChistory) June 5, 2019
Supersub Djibril Cisse entered the pitch in the 79th minute, scored an equaliser just 3 minutes later, sent the Reds to the extra time and then scored once again! pic.twitter.com/pxM4mkolVG
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Injury-free and behind a full pre-season, Cisse began the new campaign as he ended the last. CSKA Moscow were moments from pulling off an upset as the UEFA Cup Champions held a 1-0 lead late into the Super Cup final, but that changed when Rafa introduced the Reds’ jet-heeled striker in the 79th minute. The France international allowed Liverpool to play more direct, putting CSKA’s slow centre-back pairing of Sergei Ignashevich and Vasili Berezutski under pressure. Lightning struck the Moscow defence twice as Cisse quickly levelled the scoring before doubling his tally in extra time. He then set up Luis Garcia for Liverpool’s third. A much more productive 05/06 season of 19 goals and 3 assists indicated the potential of the then 24-year-old striker. While Cisse was not producing the same goal return which was seen for Auxerre, he was playing in a more competitive league, and provided glimpses of the impact he could make when helping Liverpool to an 82-point finish in the Premier League. Providing the finishing touch to passes from Gerrard and Alonso was a regular route to goal, and this was no different in the 2006 FA Cup final. An incisive diagonal ball from the skipper found the Frenchman who volleyed home to reduce the 2-0 deficit. Cisse delivered once again when it mattered, beginning another memorable Liverpool comeback. Three trophies in two seasons provided plenty of reasons for optimism. The French hitman’s performances earned a place in France’s World Cup squad alongside the likes of Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet, but after recovering from a fractured leg just one year before, Cisse suffered a repeat injury in a warm-up match against China. A crushing blow to a player who had worked so hard to get back into form. The injury would mark the end of Cisse’s Liverpool career. A loan offer from Marseille after the World Cup was accepted, a move which was eventually made permanent, leaving Liverpool fans to wonder what could have been. It’s difficult to think of many players who have had to overcome such setbacks in their career, but a move back to Ligue 1 could have been what was needed for the former Liverpool man – a chance to get back into form away from the strenuous nature of the Premier League. Leading the line for Marseille and Panathinaikos reminded us of Cisse’s best form, contributing directly to 117 goals in 169 games. But, for Liverpool fans, Cisse will be remembered for his two successful seasons on Merseyside, the unique celebrations and likeable character he brought to the dressing room. How would Djibril Cisse have played in a Jurgen Klopp side? Let us know in the comments! Thank you for reading, and stay safe! Adam. (@AdamMNVi)
