SPEED DEMONS: Fernando Torres and Djibril Cisse are renowned for their bursts of speed, which take them past defenders easily. -- PHOTOS: AP, REUTERS

That is in attack, specifically the striker wearing jersey No 9.

The number has been worn by two of the Reds' most beloved scorers - Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler.

The incumbent is Fernando Torres, who dreamed of becoming a pop star in his youth, and is experiencing the kind of adulation often reserved for rock idols.

Perhaps it is his 'boy-band' haircut. More likely, it is his goals - six of them already - and the excellence of his performances.

And, in part, he is flattered by comparisons with all the great players that went before.

When Marseille visit Anfield tonight, the Spaniard will encounter a predecessor in the No9 shirt, and the man he replaced as the club's record signing.

Djibril Cisse arrived as Gerard Houllier's parting gift to manager Rafael Benitez for £14 million (S$42 million).

He left for only £6 million, his two years at Anfield notable for misfortune with injuries and misses in front of goal.

Often used on the right flank, and occasionally on the left, there was the feeling that the mercurial Frenchman infuriated the methodical Benitez.

However, he was vital during Cup finals.

He converted a penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out against AC Milan, won the European Super Cup almost single-handedly, and scored in his farewell in last year's FA Cup final.

Tonight, Cisse's unpredictable and speedy dashes will be a threat to his old club.

In contrast, part of Torres' appeal is that he represents more of a known quality.

Pace, persistence and bravery against physical threats have been evident in each of his 10 games since moving from Atletico Madrid.

Such has been his impact that the Spaniard became a cause celebre within six weeks of his debut.

Demoted to the bench for the 0-0 stalemates against Portsmouth and Birmingham, the consensus was that Liverpool would have won both games had he started.

It was a view crystallised when he scored a magnificent hat-trick against Reading in the League Cup.

It was not a coincidence that he also scored against the best defence that Liverpool have encountered so far - Chelsea's.

There is already a sense that, given his evident superiority over Liverpool's other three strikers, he should be exempt from the rotation policy.

Not since Steven Gerrard was shifted to the right wing has there been such an outcry about Benitez's choices.

On both occasions, the Liverpool manager had been stubborn, insisting he was correct, to a disbelieving audience.

His obstinacy is the one of only two reasons why Torres may find himself on the bench tonight.

The other is his inexperience in the Champions League, which was compounded by a difficult debut away in Porto.

Nonetheless, the debate about the forward line is more likely to focus on the identity of his partner.

Andriy Voronin, Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch have all found the net against French opposition this season - during the Reds' 5-0 aggregate win over Toulouse in the Champions League qualifiers.

Indeed, Crouch has become more effective against European opposition over the last year.

Nine Champions League starts last season brought him eight goals, suggesting continental defenders are troubled by his unusual frame.

Though Cisse's last Liverpool appearance was a mere 17 months ago, Crouch is the only one among their strikers to have partnered him.

The Frenchman, with endearing humility, has said that he hopes he will not be booed on his Anfield return.

He is likely to get his wish, since his efforts were never less than wholehearted and the Liverpool fans often provide generous receptions to former favourites.

That category rarely included Boudewijn Zenden, Liverpool's other alumnus in Marseille.

Appreciated more by Benitez than the crowd, May's Champions League final had marked his ineffectual finale.

His replacement, Yossi Benayoun, has scored classy goals in his last two games. It makes him a compelling case for inclusion.

Besides the injured Harry Kewell, Benitez has a full squad at his disposal.

And that should be enough to ensure that it is not a happy return to Anfield for Cisse and Zenden.

stsports@sph.com.sg

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