Cisse pledges future to Liverpool

Djibril Cisse proved his heart was at Liverpool with a man of the match performance and an emotional pledge to the Anfield club after the European Super Cup victory over CSKA Moscow on Friday.

The France striker came on as a second-half substitute, scoring twice and making the third goal to help Liverpool win 3-1 after extra time to secure a third Super Cup triumph.

"My future is with Liverpool, I am happy here," Cisse told reporters. I hope these goals will end the speculation."

Cisse has been linked in the media with several French clubs with the suggestion he will be sold to raise funds for Liverpool to bring England striker Michael Owen back to the club from Real Madrid.

Coach Rafael Benitez would not be drawn on the subject even though chief executive Rick Parry said on Friday that a deal for Owen was possible.

CUTTING EDGE

"I prefer to talk about this game, to celebrate our victory and to show respect for my players," said Benitez.

Cisse's pace and courage supplied the missing cutting edge after Liverpool had trailed to a first-half goal by Brazilian striker Daniel Carvalho.

Liverpool equalised through Cisse after 82 minutes before he added a second in extra time and then laid on the third goal for Luis Garcia.

Cisse said: "I hope this ends speculation for me and I can do my job and score more goals."

Benitez said Liverpool's win was down to the pace of their second-half substitutes.

CSKA coach Valery Gazzayev said his side were punished for two mistakes leading to Cisse's strikes.

"The referee may have made a mistake with the handball (by Cisse)," he said in reference to Liverpool's first goal.

"But otherwise it was a straightforward match for us. We had some chances but we did not take them."