Cisse targets Anfield switch

Djibril Cisse has claimed in a leading football magazine that he is almost certain to join Liverpool after this season.

Auxerre coach Guy Roux has tried to hold on to his much-coveted hitman, but Cisse, under contract until June 2006, has said in an interview with France Football that he has a verbal agreement with Gerard Houllier that he will join Liverpool after the 2003-4 campaign.

"Things have become clearer now," Cisse said. "Guy Roux knows that I want to go to Liverpool and he will not prevent me from doing so in the future.

"He knows that I have been with Auxerre for eight years and that my time to go has come.

"If I want to progress I need to leave soon, but I want my transfer to be made in the best conditions with both parties.

"When I leave Auxerre I want to feel happy and feel that I have accomplished my duties.

"However, before leaving, I have a season to complete. To leave Auxerre and go to Liverpool, I have to deserve it."

Cisse has been chased by leading clubs and for good reason.

A member of France's last World Cup squad, he has been prolific in France's Ligue 1 which has produced some of the world's top strikers in recent years.

"I already love Liverpool, this is the club where I want to play later," said Cisse.

"Gerard Houllier has been following me for ages, he likes me and I have the same feelings for him. I want to show him that he is right to trust me."

Auxerre are struggling in the lower half of Ligue 1 with Cisse having scored only twice in six matches.