Cisse calls for time to settle

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse admits he has struggled to settle at Anfield - but has told fans to be patient this season.

The France striker signed from Auxerre this summer for £14m (€20m) but has only scored twice in the league for his new side.

The 23-year-old admits he is still coming to terms with the pace of Premiership football and also has to cope with living in a new country away from his family.

But Cisse believes he will improve as the season progresses and is determined to justify his transfer fee – despite a troubled start to his Anfield career.

“I would ask the fans to be patient because my best form is coming," said Cisse. “I am having to learn a new style of football in this country, the game is much faster and more physical than I am used to and I am being singled out for close marking.

“The pressure and the expectation is something I am aware of but I have broad shoulders and I will prove to everyone how much I am worth and how good a player I am.

“People should not rush to a judgement on me now, because we have only played 11 games.”

Liverpool are now under the management of Rafael Benitez and Cisse believes results will improve as the team and coaching staff get to know each other.

Benitez is yet to decide his first-choice front pair, which adds to Cisse’s struggle to settle.

“I am having to learn how Milan (Baros) plays and how we can help each other in attack. The same is true of Luis Garcia and since I am not a magician I will need patience before that happens,” Cisse told LFC Magazine.