It’s well known that Liverpool F.C., two-time Premier League champions, are steeped in history and tradition. A key part of the club’s identity is nurturing second-generation talent, with the red half of Merseyside continuing to place faith in footballing bloodlines year after year.
Jayden Danns, son of Neil Danns, and Lewis Koumas, son of Jason Koumas, are shining examples within the academy setup — even with the latter currently out on loan. Both have already taken their first steps into senior football, and the next name potentially in line is Prince Kobe Cisse.
The 17-year-old is the son of former Reds striker Djibril Cissé, who made 79 appearances for Liverpool between 2004 and 2007. Prince possesses all the attributes required to forge a professional career, and the responsibility now lies with the club to guide his development toward stardom. While it’s still early days, the early signs are promising.
Djibril, fondly remembered for his contribution to Liverpool’s dramatic 2005 Champions League triumph over AC Milan — famously known as the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final — overcame a horrific leg break to feature in that unforgettable night. Now 44, he works as a forward coach at AJ Auxerre in France while also playing an active role in his son’s football journey, particularly following Prince’s recent positional switch.
Prince Cisse Making His Mark at Liverpool
During the 2024/25 season — when Liverpool’s senior side clinched a record-equalling 20th league title under Arne Slot in his debut campaign — Prince also experienced an important chapter in his young career as he aims to replicate his father’s achievements at Anfield.
Still at the beginning of his journey, Prince turned out for Liverpool’s Under-18s as a first-year scholar under then-coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson (now replaced by Simon Wiles). Remarkably, his debut came the evening before his father, an Istanbul hero, featured for Liverpool Legends against Chelsea Legends.
In his first appearance against ISI Academy, the young defender helped secure a 3-1 win — playing above his age level at just 15. Unlike his father, however, Prince has chosen to represent Wales at international level, qualifying through his mother’s heritage. He has already earned two Under-18 caps and appears well placed to climb the ranks with the right support.
According to Liverpool’s official records, Prince has been with the club since he was six. His versatility stands out: once primarily deployed on the wing, he has recently been converted into a central defender. Prior to the 2025/26 campaign, he typically operated as a forward or attacking midfielder in youth football.
Journalist Bence Bosack reports that Prince now anchors the heart of the defence — a significant shift given that Liverpool’s academy coaches rarely make such dramatic positional changes. Aside from Trent Alexander-Arnold, such transitions are uncommon at Anfield. Early performances in his new role suggest the switch could prove inspired.
The move mirrors the pathway of former Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher, who also began as a forward before evolving into a defensive leader. Carragher has previously discussed his own positional transformation on The Athletic’s Football Clichés podcast.
Wherever he plays, Prince brings relentless energy. His attacking instincts remain evident, especially when he drives into midfield from defence. That high-intensity style could become a major asset as he continues to mature.
He’s not the only Cisse carving out a career. His older brother Cassius, 19, is currently with Notts County F.C. and has already made first-team appearances. Both brothers are determined to follow their father’s path in professional football.
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Djibril Cisse’s Role in Istanbul Glory
Despite earning 41 caps and nine goals for France, Djibril Cisse struggled to rediscover his best form after suffering two devastating leg breaks during his Liverpool spell — injuries so severe that amputation was once a possibility. Yet he defied the odds to return in time for the Champions League final against Milan.
Introduced late on for Milan Baros with just five minutes remaining in one of the most iconic finals ever played, Cisse kept his composure in the decisive penalty shootout. The “Miracle of Istanbul” remains one of football’s most legendary comebacks, and Cisse’s coolly converted penalty against Dida cemented his place in club folklore.
With platinum hair and nerves of steel, he calmly dispatched his spot-kick, adding to his overall return of 29 goal contributions (24 goals and five assists) for Liverpool. Soon after, however, he moved on — initially joining Olympique Marseille on loan in 2006 before making the transfer permanent the following year, finding life back in France better suited to him.
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