Cisse hopes son, Prince Kobe, can be future King of Kop
Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse was one of the most feared strikers in his prime, but injuries robbed him of a more trophy-laden career.
Now 42, the former French international is still banging in the goals for Liverpool’s Legends team, scoring once in a friendly against Ajax Legends on March 24. Liverpool Legends came from two goals down to win 4-2.
On April 27, he bagged a hattrick as Liverpool Reds defeated Manchester Reds 4-2 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in the ‘Battle of the Reds’ match.
While he has shown he has not lost his scoring touch, Cisse these days is more of a proud father as his son, Prince Kobe, 15, (main image) made his debut for Liverpool’s Under-18 team. He has also been capped by the Welsh Under-16 team.
Cisse’s two other sons – Cassius and Marley Jackson – are also pursuing footballing careers. Speaking at a meet-the-fan session at a Kuala Lumpur mall last week, Cisse, however, said he never pressured his sons to follow in his footsteps.
So, can Prince Kobe make it into Liverpool’s first team when he is older?
“He is a good player and is on the right track. He is focused on football. I am here to help if he needs it,” said Cisse, who scored one of the penalties in the shootout to help Liverpool win the 2005 Champions League trophy.
“I am proud that at 15, he has already played for the Liverpool Under-18 team. I wish him all the best, and if he needs my support, he can count on me being there.
“It’s not going to be easy (breaking into the Liverpool team), and he has to work extremely hard and make enormous sacrifices if he is to make the breakthrough.”
Meanwhile, Cisse and another former Liverpool striker, Emile Heskey, said they are disappointed Jurgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
Dutchman Arne Slot is expected to become the new boss, but both forwards said they had wanted former players Xabi Alonso or Steven Gerrard to be the new boss.
“When news broke that Klopp would be leaving, my initial reaction was that Liverpool should have gone for Alonso,” said Heskey.
“He is doing well in Germany, having just won the club’s first-ever league title.
“However, he wants to stay and build on his success. I respect that. But I honestly felt being a former player, he would ‘get’ the club and the fans.”
Cisse added: “That’s a good shout, although I would have liked Gerrard to be the manager. Or perhaps a combination of both.
“Let’s see what the new manager can deliver.”
Klopp leaves Liverpool after nine years, winning the league, Champions League, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, one FA Cup and two League Cups. He also won one Community Shield.
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