Cisse wanted Wiltord to join him at Anfield

Last Updated : 08-Sep-2004 by
When former manager Gerard Houllier was still in charge, the Reds were linked with Wiltord, who was available at the start of the season on a Bosman.

"I thought Wiltord would be joining Liverpool and I even tried to push through his transfer," Cisse said.

"I walked into the manager's office, and told him to sign Sylvain. I gave him his mobile number, and they talked together on the phone.

"But a deal could not be done, and I am disappointed - I felt I had not done enough towards it.

"Wiltord is like a big brother to me, and he could have helped me settle in. It would have been great for him to be over here.

"But I am happy to have come to Liverpool. I'm taking English lessons but it is the accent that is difficult to understand."