Cisse has forced his way back into the first team reckoning much quicker than expected, and he has now gained a significant march on rival Milan Baros, who has clearly annoyed his manager this week with some ill-chosen words of criticism aimed at Benitez for substituting him too much.

If Cisse can complete a full 90 minutes and show his pace, strength and fitness are up to the mark then he could well win the battle to lead Liverpool's attack against AC Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on May 25.

Benitez said: "The final is now the most important game for us, we cannot finish fourth, so I will give other players the chance to show me whether they can be involved in the final. Cisse will start the match.

"We have an important game now coming up, and there will be players who not only want to help us win against Villa and to give the fans a good end to the season at Anfield, but also they will want to play in the final.

"I have said to the players, I want to see if they can play in the final, we need to see them do well and show me whether it is possible that they can start. This game is important to them."