Cisse said: "You can't argue with the fact Michael is the number one. You look at his record and he has played three or four major tournaments for his country, and scored in all of them.
"That is the mark of a truly world-class player, and is the benchmark for all of us. I am really looking forward to working with him, and it's one of the reasons I came to Liverpool.
"I am here to try and prove I am worth that place alongside him. But it will be hard getting that place.
"Milan and Florent are both very good forwards too, and we know it's a fight to see who's going to play alongside Michael. I will give it my best to show I can be Owen's partner."