Djibril Cisse explains why he chose Liverpool over Barcelona and Real Madrid

Former Champions League winner Djibril Cisse speaks exclusively to Ladbrokes about why he chose to play for Liverpool over Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The ex-striker also discusses 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha's breakthrough and why it is great news for youngsters in the LFC academy - including his son.

"Barcelona and Real Madrid both wanted to sign me the year I joined Liverpool. There were a lot of clubs that wanted me, but Barcelona, Madrid and Liverpool were the only ones I knew of.

"The rest, my agent was dealing with, because I was the kind of guy who wanted to focus on the pitch. What happened off it wasn’t really my business. 

"I chose Liverpool because of, first, Gerard Houllier. He made it feel like it was a safe place to go but also a safe place with a massive history. It was a massive club for me to improve my football and to become the player I wanted to be. 

"Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush - they were strikers I watched when I was a kid, so it was an honour and a pleasure for me to walk in their footsteps. 

"And I'm a man of my word. I gave my word to Liverpool a year before I actually signed for the club; in my last season with Auxerre, I had already told Liverpool I would join them. Nothing was signed, no contract or anything, but I had a really good feeling about Gerard Houllier.

"So, in my mind, it was Liverpool and nothing else, even if nothing was signed. Obviously I then knew about the interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid as well, but when I give my word, I give my word!"

"It wasn't easy – it really wasn't the easiest way to do it – but Liverpool managed to win against Newcastle. The way they did it was the mark of a team who want to show that they're not here to play around. 

"They're here to win titles. Even with a lot of new players and a lot of young players, they're not here to play around.

"Winning with the last kick of the game after almost throwing it away sends a real message to the other teams. It’s in the DNA of the club to never give up and to always fight until the end. 

"To be honest, Rio Ngumoha’s emergence is a sign of the new football; if you're good, even if you're young, you're going to have a chance.

"You know, nowadays - even at a club like Liverpool - it's not about how old you are, it's about how good you are... that's the kind of football I like!

"It's good for me because my son, Prince Kobe, is currently playing for the club, so I'm happy that the manager trusts young players!"

You can check out Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid and the other favourites' Champions League 2025/26 league phase fixtures, as well as all LFC-related betting and specials.

After Ngumoha's winner against Newcastle, see where he places among the Premier League's youngest ever goalscorers.

As Arne Slot's men prepare to take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, check out our match preview.

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