Cisse: I was close to joining Barcelona or Real Madrid in 2004, but in the end I chose Liverpool

October 8th: Former Liverpool player Cisse accepted an interview with the media and said that before joining Liverpool, he was very close to joining Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Cisse said: "In the summer of 2004, I was close to joining Barcelona or Real Madrid, but in the end I rejected their offers and chose Liverpool."

"I scored 26 goals in Auxerre the previous season. Many teams wanted to sign me in the summer window of that year, and I was very eager to join Liverpool. I had already made a commitment to join Liverpool, and I did not want to break the promise."

"Of course, it would have been great to play alongside those talented players at Barcelona or Real Madrid, but at that time I had already had positive conversations with Liverpool and I was very happy that I could join Liverpool."

"Liverpool is a great club and the night in Istanbul the year after joining was one of the best nights of my career, so I am very happy with the decision I made."