Gerard Houllier has tipped Djibril Cisse to be a Premiership sensation at Anfield - but he has warned the French ace he must adapt to the demands of English football.
Cisse is still set to sign for the Reds on July 1 despite Houllier's exit from Anfield, and the Frenchman says the Auxerre man has all the qualities to take the game in this country by storm.
"I reassured him. He has all the qualities to really become a star," said Houllier.
"He must be ready for a physical fight, to work hard, and don't complain about refereeing."
Three days on from his departure from Anfield and Houllier is still insisting he bears no grudges towards the Reds.
Speaking to the French press, Houllier says he is proud to have built 'a team for tomorrow' at Anfield, though he does concede the failure of El Hadji Diouf to shine under his regime cost him dearly.
"I believe I have prepared the team for tomorrow with (Milan) Baros, (Djibril) Cisse, (John Arne) Riise, (Anthony) Le Tallec and (Florent) Sinama-Pongolle. But you know there are never perfect reinforcements," he said.
"The disappointment is El Hadji Diouf, because he has a big potential, but he was never steady.
"Sometimes he didn't give a good image of the club and it probably harmed me."
Houllier added: "My departure went off smoothly. I have no bitterness. Everything happened with respect and dignity.
"I leave Liverpool one year earlier than I first expected. I feel a big sadness, but I leave with a good relationship.
"We part on a common agreement, because by going on, there would be excessive pressure on the board, the players and me, and that would have damaged the results.
"I just missed a league title. Without all the injured players we could have fought for the second place, but not for the first place. Arsenal had an exceptional run.
"Since the first match of the season I understood it would be difficult to keep my job.
"You have to know there are 28 old Liverpool players or coaches in the media.
"During our match against Newcastle, Bobby Robson told me: 'You have over you people I don't have to undergo'. It is a heavy parameter to consider."When it works fine, they don't say anything. When it works not so fine, they don't talk about injured players or things like that. Actually, the more success you have the sooner you will be sacked!
"Because you create a huge expectation. That is what happened after our five titles in 2001."
Never trust that French A_s ! Hahahaha......
He said Bruno Cheyrou is the new Zizou , now what ?
He said Le Tellac & Sinama is a gem ? Now what ? A gem in the reserve ?
He said Diouf and Diao bla bla bla....now what ?
He said alot of things , but all is the $$$ is down into the drain liaozzzz !
The Departure of GH should spell joy to some "marked" players.
Dudek and Henchoz - two players that is under GH's black list.
Now they can be relieved that GH is not longer around.
Of course, the Donkey is OUT.