Cisse issues apology for behaviour to Magpie fans

DJIBRIL CISSE has issued an apology through Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez for his controversial behaviour after scoring his side’s third goal from the spot at Newcastle.

Benitez took time off from preparing for the FA Cup quarter-final at Birmingham tonight to defend his errant Frenchman, insisting his reaction to crowd abuse at St James' Park was not a "serious" incident.

With Robbie Fowler cup-tied for the St Andrews clash having netting a hat-trick for Manchester City in an earlier round Cisse could well find himself up front again as Liverpool bid to reach the semi-finals.