20.07.2004 - Cisse prepared to fight for place

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Liverpool's new £14million striker Djibril Cisse is looking forward to helping his new club challenge for honours this season, though admits he has stiff competition for a regular place in the Reds' line up.

Speaking at this afternoon's Anfield press conference where he was officially unveiled, Cisse also revealed that Liverpool's regular involvement in Europe was a key factor in him deciding to make the move to Merseyside.

"Any top class player needs to play at the highest level, and the fact that liverpool feature in Europe year after year it made it really important in my decision to come here," said the Frenchman.

"I want to do as well as I can to help the club win trophies. We have got a lot of pressure on our backs this season. We've got to concentrate and be mentally tough."

On a partnership with Michael Owen, Cisse spoke highly of the Liverpool number 10, but insisted that the team was about more than just Owen.

"I've seen him on TV for more than 3 years now. He's done great things internationally as well as for Liverpool."

"But we mustn't forget Florent and Milan. They're top goalscorers in their own right. It's a case of all improving ourselves and seeing who has the fight to play alongside Micheal."

Cisse is likely to make his debut in Liverpool's first pre-season friendly at Wrexham tomorrow evening.