ReactionDjibril Cisse: I'm so proud and honoured to be part of the LFC family
‘It is always a pleasure’ is how Djibril Cisse described returning to Anfield after he scored in Liverpool FC Legends’ 4-2 win over AFC Ajax Legends.
The former France striker came off the bench at half-time and headed home the equaliser as the Reds came from two down to claim victory in front of a sold-out crowd of almost 60,000 on Saturday afternoon.
You have to accept cookies in order to view this content on our site.
Watch on YouTubeGregory Vignal, Nabil El Zhar and Fernando Torres also got on the scoresheet and, in a post-match interview with Liverpoolfc.com, Cisse said: “It’s not every weekend that you are playing in front of nearly 60,000 people so you have to enjoy every second.
“It’s a special club, special fans, special guys, and it is always a pleasure to be here.
“First half, when you have retired for five, six, seven or 10 years some of us, it’s hard to get in the game. You need a few minutes to get into it and I’m a little bit younger so when I come on, I have to make the difference! It’s what I tried to do today.
“We won against a really good team of Ajax and it’s important not to lose in front of our crowd.”
Cisse’s Kop-end header from Dirk Kuyt’s cross pulled the Reds level and he added: “When you have been scoring all your life... that’s the only thing I know how to do well and even if it is a friendly or I play with my kids, I have to score!
“It’s always the same feeling, it’s always great and even more today.”
Sven-Goran Eriksson was part of the LFC Legends management team for the match and Cisse was delighted for the former England boss.
He continued: “It’s quite unusual for a manager to say, ‘It was my dream to manage Liverpool,’ or to coach another team and he was quite open, quite clear about it, and I think it’s a good thing that he was the manager today.
“He achieved one of his goals and on top of that we won, so it’s a special day for us and for him too. He’s a great manager. I never had the chance to work with him but I really respect the guy and I am happy for him.”
Saturday’s game will raise vital funds for LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity, and Cisse stated: “We were talking about it in the changing room: I don’t see many clubs who can fill a 60,000 stadium for a charity game or a foundation game. I think it is only Liverpool or a few, but really few, clubs and it’s a pleasure to be here.
“I’m really, really proud and really honoured to be a part of the Liverpool family and as long as I can run and play football, I will always be here for the foundation.”
- You can support the work of LFC Foundation with a donation at liverpoolfc.com/donate