Today's Banter: Igor Bišćan heads home, Convey & Coppell talk paper, Contemplating Torres, & more

If I had to make a list of my ten favorite players ever to play for Liverpool, Igor Bišćan would certainly find a way on there. The Bišćuit Man was one of limited talent and physical ability, but had the heart of Hektōr which almost justifies his £5.5m transfer fee. The oft-injured and even more frequently misplayed defensive-minded player has returned to his roots, signing a three-and-a-half year deal with Dinamo Zagreb, the club where he spent his youth. People often forget the contributions of players like Bišćan, but without him and others like Le Tallec and Pongolle, we wouldn't have won number five. I can't believe he's only 29-years-old, though I guess he's always looked a decade or two older.

Oh, Reading, not sure if you boys are already making excuses or are just having a go beforehand so you can play up how outstanding it was to get something out of the match tomorrow. It amazes me to no end to hear opposing players and managers mention the cost of players or the squad in general when we're about to face 'em. You never hear that kind of talk with West Ham or the Spurs, both of which spent more in the offseason. In fact, I would bet the plot that the Tottenham squad is more expensive then ours by nearly a hundred quid. Anyhow, Bobby Convey, a player I respect and who scored a brilliant volley goal against us in our League Cup match at the Madejski, claims we paid out '£30 million on one player'. Really, Bobby? And who was that? Because we sure as hell could use a player of that value to boost us on the wings. I know, I know, he's just a footballer, not a financial analyst. Who can blame him if he doesn't share the interest of counting money with 'Mr. Florida', Eric Rivera?

On the other hand, Steve Coppell is of stubborn lot. The local lad turned traitor, speaking of the Cup match claimed 'the difference between the two sides last time was a £25million centre forward'. Mr. Coppell, you flatter to deceive, but at least your math is a bit better. A quick inquiry into said match would have revealed a Liverpool side that was of equal youth and certainly less experience playing away from home. Arbeloa played centre back, Lucas and Leto started, Gerrard was on the bench until the 77th minute, and Aurelio was making his first start and second appearance overall after a near seven month layoff. Was Torres a factor? Of course, but he wasn't the factor. Sometimes circumstances pay a pretty price.

Apparently Rafa has yet to decide on whether to start Torres tomorrow. With the crucial Marseilles match on Tuesday, he's going to have to rotate-wisely. I'm confident the Spaniard will get the call from the go, though the decisive tie in France may be more important financially in the long run, who are we kidding? Our 'second string' is of equal talent to the best l'OM side, if it only weren't for that pesky puppet master and the pride of the colonists, the match would've been a testimonial to one Djibril Aruun Cissé.

The boy is ours, the boy is ours... Javier Mascherano wants to stay at Liverpool and everyone of moderate intelligence, that long to be be buried in Red, concur. The Argentine gives Gerrard the keys to his proper castle, what more can an owner ask?

One last thing before I go before the jury, here's an interesting speculative piece about how the inevitable move of Everton to Kirkby will affect the Merseyside derby. Godspeed, my friends.