Pacy Auxerre star Cisse would undoubtedly offer a firm challenge to the underachieving quartet if he moved to Merseyside, but Houllier insists that his striking talent must see his imminent arrival as a chalenge to prove their woryh at Anfield.
Houllier said: "When you are playing for a top team you always have competition and you have to deal with it.
"I know Cisse said this week he wants to come to Liverpool but I don't see that as showing disrespect for the strikers here. I see it as an inspiration to them.
"You can go two ways. If you are frightened of competition then you have to leave a top club and go to a lowly club where you are guaranteed a game.
"But if you are a top level player you respond, you use it to inspire your own performance. The best players want top class footballers to come and join them. I don't want those who can't live with rivalry."