Cisse throws doubt on Anfield future

Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse admits he will have to consider his Anfield future this winter if he remains on the fringes of the first team.

The Frenchman was a £14m (€20.6m) signing from Auxerre last year and has returned from having his first season in England ruined by a broken leg.

But Rafael Benitez has deployed him for just 240 minutes in Liverpool’s opening six matches of the season.

Cisse is the club’s joint top scorer on seven goals with Steven Gerrard, but only one of those has come in the Barclays Premiership where his chances have been limited.

“I accept Rafa Benitez’s decisions and I am patient,” the 24-year-old is reported saying. “But I am not going to remain on the bench all season.”

Whether Cisse’s World Cup chances would be affected by being in the Liverpool team one week and out the next remains unclear, but that may be preying on his mind.

“At the moment it is only the start of the season but if the situation does not change, my thinking will be different in December,” Cisse added.

Benitez has until now showed more belief in Peter Crouch’s ability to lead Liverpool’s attack, although the £7m (€10.3m) summer signing has yet to score for his new club.

Marseille, mid-table in France this season, indicated their interest in the former Auxerre player over the summer and could revive their bid during the January transfer window.

Their sporting director, Jose Anigo, said: “The possibility of taking Cisse on loan will firm up in December. We know that he is not playing at the moment.

“If Djibril is to play in the World Cup finals with France then he needs to be playing regularly. If he wants to come to Marseille he will be made very welcome.”