by el_stinger » Sun May 01, 2005 2:09 pm
From Skysports:
Cisse to put Blues to sword
by Mark Buckingham - created on 1 May 2005
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is determined to prove his gladiator credentials and slay Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.
The Premiership rivals meet in the second leg of their semi-final tussle on Tuesday, with the tie finely poised after a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Cisse is pressing for a starting role at Anfield in the week, having featured as a substitute during the stalemate in the first leg.
The France international has recovered from a broken leg to figure in The Reds' European challenge and he is now anxious to prove he is back to fitness by putting Chelsea to the sword.
"I'm a warrior and behind me there is a team of them," Cisse told the News of the World.
"People said I wouldn't play again so soon but now is the chance to show what I can do.
"I feel like a gladiator. I'm not scared of Chelsea and now's the time to prove it.
"It is not arrogance. It is my warrior's soul.
"This game could lead to great things for this club. Rafa Benitez has raised the bar for us all. Now is the moment to jump higher."
The 23-year-old could replace Fernando Morientes in the starting line-up at Anfield on Tuesday, with the Spaniard having been signed in January following Cisse's autumn injury.
Cisse admits he is now competing with Morientes for a spot in the side but is happy with the increased attacking options at manager Benitez's disposal.
He added: "Because of my injury the club then signed Fernando Morientes and now we are both competing for the same position.
"But that is a good thing when you have a huge game like Chelsea coming up, even though Fernando is cup-tied.
"We now have competition for every position and we all know whoever performs will be in the side.
"Hiring a player like Morientes has proved we really want to go far and that means winning the Champions League, not just getting past Chelsea."
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been linked with a move for Middlesbrough teenager Adam Johnson, who made his debut last month and is believed to be available in the summer.
lol, classic, hope he kills em!