Fuente : Liverpool F.C.
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LIVERPOOL FC: CISSE'S SUPER CUP GLORY: THE FINAL WORD

/noticias.info/ Finals are meant for heroes and Djibril Cisse was certainly that as he almost single handedly inspired Liverpool to a third European Super Cup success with a 3-1 victory over CSKA Moscow.
From the moment Brazilian striker Daniel Carvalho had put the UEFA Cup winners into the lead it looked like it was going to be a bleak night in Monaco for Liverpool, but returning to his home country Cisse was inspired.

Like a modern day David Fairclough Cisse appeared off the bench and tore the CSKA Moscow defenders to pieces with his pace. This was to be Cisse's night and he helped Rafael Benitez win Liverpool a second trophy in 2005.

Rafael Benitez said after the game: "This game was made for Cisse to come on and score. I knew the opposition would be tired and with Cisse's pace we knew he could cause problems.

"We are very happy to win another trophy for the club and the supporters. We controlled the game and we had more possession and more opportunities than the other team. We made one mistake which cost us a goal but we must be happy with the result."

All three of Liverpool's finals in 2005 have gone to extra-time and while the Super Cup may have lacked the thrills, spills and prestige of Istanbul, it was still a trophy worth winning.

Rafael Benitez certainly took it very seriously and rightly so as to earn the right to win this trophy Liverpool won the European Cup for a fifth time and no Liverpool fan will ever forget that night in Istanbul.

It was also a very proud night for Jamie Carragher who was captain in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard. It was a fantastic gesture by club captain Gerrard who stood in the background on the podium to allow his good mate Carragher to lift the trophy.

In a UEFA awards ceremony the night before the Super Cup Final Carragher was overlooked for for the best defender in the Champions League last season as Chelsea's John Terry took the accolade. That is certainly a topic for serious debate, but every Liverpool fan knows how immense Carragher was last season. Many fans will never forget the two crucial tackles he made in his own penalty area in the second period of extra-time in Istanbul despite being almost on his knees through cramp, and he was a real hero. It seemed very fitting that JC captained Liverpool in Monaco.

Carragher said: "It is nice to win this trophy and we're looking to win as many as we can now. We were without Stevie tonight, but it was nice to lift the cup and it was a great honour."

Carragher also had praise for matchwinner Cisse, who scored the goals that made it possible. He said, "Djibril probably wants to prove a point and he reacted in the right way. He won the Cup for us tonight."

Up until Cisse's arrival Liverpool had lacked a clinical finisher to put away the numerous chances they were creating, especially in the first half. Luis Garcia was having a frustrating night in front of goal but he more than made up for that with his contribution later in the evening. He set up Cisse for the equaliser then put the result beyond doubt when the French striker returned the compliment.

Garcia can be frustrating at times but he is the man for the big occasion and always seems to make a major contribution whether it be scoring or creating goals.

Dietmar Hamann had a fantastic game in the centre of midfield and made some crunching tackles coupled with Gerrard esque match-winning passes. It was Hamann's superb through ball that enabled Cisse to put Liverpool 2-1 up at the second attempt after the Moscow keeper saved his first attempt. It was another brilliant Hamann pass that sent Cisse away down the right and Liverpool's record signing produced the best cross of the match straight to Luis Garcia's head for 3-1.

Momo Sissoko arrived in the second half and had another fine game. He never stops running and looks set to become a big Kop favourite.

The night though belonged to Cisse and even though the speculation about his future will probably continue no-one can ever take this moment in a red shirt away from him.

Liverpool is the trophy winning club. That's the way it always has been and always will be. Rafael Benitez has certainly brought the good times back to Anfield and long may it continue. notas_de_prensa_archivo