There was so much nostalgia for Liverpool fans yesterday, as the LFC Legends rolled into town.
As ever with these games, there were some real, genuine icons of the game on show, mixed in between some forgotten heroes of the past.
Fernando Torres was clearly the biggest draw for Liverpool fans. Having reignited his partnership with Steven Gerrard more than 13 years on from his Anfield exit, Torres rolled back the years with a goal and a celebration in front of the Kop.
But El Nino wasn’t the only striker to light up the game with goal on Saturday. And as it turns out, one of them could yet leave a lasting legacy at the club.
Liverpool U18s gain new prospect
Djibril Cisse was perhaps underrated during his three years at Liverpool. After joining in 2004, the French striker went on to play a key part in the 2005 Champions League win and the FA Cup success of the following year.
However, having suffered terrible luck with injuries, Cisse never quite lived up to his potential in terms of goal scoring. Still, he was always well-liked at Anfield and bagged some big goals for the club.
And after scoring the crucial equaliser during yesterday’s 4-2 win over Ajax legends, the LFCTV commentator revealed that Cisse’s son is now hoping to follow in his dad’s footsteps for Liverpool.
“He’s looking up into the stands for his boys who are all footballers now as well,” said commentator Peter McDowell, after Cisse’s goal. “At Nottingham Forest, Notts County, he’s got one who made his debut for Liverpool U18s last night.”
Who is Djibril Cisse’s son
For Cisse’s son to be turning out for the U18s already is quite some feet. As it turns out, the former Liverpool No.9’s boy, Prince Kobe Cisse, doesn’t turn 16 until July.
Playing years ahead of his age group, Prince clearly has something that the coaches at Kirkby like.
As we’ve seen more evidently than ever this year, the pathway is very much open for young players at Liverpool. Do well in the youth teams and you can quickly be within touching distance of the senior squad.
Obviously, there’s no chance that Cisse will be troubling the first-team at just 15. But in the next 18 months to two years, it’s really worth keeping a close eye on how he does.
Just like his father, Prince is a forward. Having selected Wales as his nation of choice, the youngster has also already been capped by the Dragon’s U16 side. Having the father that he does, there will already be expectation on Cisse Jnr to become a success in the game.
He isn’t the only one carrying that burden, though. There’s a number of prospects with famous dads currently at the academy. While a career in football is clearly anything but a given for any of them, the early signs are there that for Cisse, it could be a possibility.