Guy Roux, the Auxerre boss for 43 years until recently, and Djibril Cisse's mentor and father figure has revealed the unhappiness of Djibril Cisse these past few weeks.

Roux revealed: "I have had Djibril on the phone a lot in recent weeks.

"He is not in a good way but I have told him not to get annoyed and wound up.

"Of course he isn't happy, but I have tried to convince him there are better days ahead — although maybe not under Benitez."

Cisse's father walked out when he was just two years old, leaving his mother to cope on her own. Roux became to the Frenchman — and now he finds himself trying to stop Cisse from caving in.

He said: "It is not hard to see why Djibril is confused. The manager has made some strange decisions.

"When I look at the squad, it seems to be very weak and I think they are in for a tough season.

"But Djibril has the qualities necessary to succeed and I've told him to be patient.

"Who knows what will happen — especially if Liverpool are 14th at Christmas."

Roux said: "When I watch Liverpool, I find it hard to understand what's going on.

"They're playing a big guy up front, who looks like he would take at least 14 seconds to run 100metres — whereas with Djibril you've got one of the fastest players in the world.

"It's difficult to work it out, especially when Peter Crouch is hardly banging in the goals.

"Why does Benitez play Cisse wide on the right? That isn't the way to get the best out of him, and I should know.

"I don't know whether he will have to leave, I hope not, but it's a tough call for him."

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