Valencia full-back Aly Cissokho is pleased with reports linking him with Liverpool.

The France international joined the La Liga side last summer from Lyon, making 22 starts this season in all competitions.

Cissokho will make up part of the Valencia side which will take on Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League last 16 second leg, and having previously been linked with a move to Liverpool, admits reports of additional interest are 'pleasing'.

"I've never hidden the fact that the English league is the one that attracts me the most. It's pleasing to see my name linked to Liverpool," he told Le Parisien newspaper.

"They're a great club, and not just anyone can wear that shirt. But it's still just an article in a newspaper."

The 25 year old was linked with a move to Liverpool during the reign of Kenny Dalglish prior to leaving Lyon.

PSG lead Cissohko's Valencia 2-1 after the first leg in Spain, with goals from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore giving the Ligue 1 leaders an advantage heading into the second leg

Adil Rami's stoppage time goal does give Ernesto Valverde's side hope in the French capital, with the hosts without Zlatan Ibrahmiovic after his late dismissal, and Marco Verretti.

Ahead of the second leg Cissokho admits David Beckham, who is on loan at PSG until the end of the season, was among his heroes as a youngster, while the threat of Lavezzi, shouldn't be ignored.

"When I was little, I was a Manchester United fan, and so also of David Beckham. It's strange to think I'll be playing against him, but it's not the first time I'll have come up against great players," Cissokho said.

"[Ezequiel] Lavezzi. I already knew him a little bit from his time at Napoli, but I saw in the first leg he's really very good technically and also in terms of the hunger he shows. He reminds me of Lisandro Lopez.

"We lost at home but nevertheless we have chances to win in Paris. In football, nothing is impossible," Cissoko added

"It will be a tough match; we will have to be patient. I'll have to be strong in defence.

"These are two major players [that are missing]. Ibrahimovic ball holds up well and is a good player. Verratti technically dictates the game," he added.

Manchester United FC