PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Igor Biscan

Igor Biscan : Midfield 2000-2005
Date of Birth: 04/05/1978
Birthplace: Zagreb, Croatia
1st team games: 118
1st team goals: 3
Other clubs: Samobor, Dinamo Zagreb
International caps while with Liverpool: 14
International goals while with Liverpool: 1
Honours with Liverpool: Worthington Cup 2001, Charity Shield 2001, UEFA Super Cup 2001, Worthington Cup 2003, Champions League 2005

PROFILE

Croatian Igor Biscan played a big role in Liverpool winning the Champions League in 2005 with a series of impressive performances in the centre of midfield during the run to the final.
A big money signing at 5.5 million from Dinamo Zagreb in 2000 Biscan originally signed as a central midfielder but former boss Gerard Houllier felt he was a centre half.
However, under Rafael Benitez, Biscan was much improved back in midfield and had some memorable performances in the Champions League against the likes of Deportivo La Coruna, Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Chelsea. He was an unused substitute against AC Milan but still deservedly ended up with a winners medal.

It was at the European under-21 Championships in Slovakia, during the summer of 2000, that Liverpool first became aware of Igor Biscan and Gerard Houllier had to beat off competition from Juventus, Barcelona, Ajax and AC Milan to secure his signature.

The highly rated Croatia Zagreb midfielder joined the Reds for 5.5 million in December 2000 and he arrived at Anfield with an impressive track record. Despite his young age he was already a regular in the Croatia national side and had captained his club, Croatia Zagreb, in the Champions League and UEFA Cup.

Biscan did not have long to wait before pulling on a red shirt for the first time. Just two days after signing he came on as a substitute against Ipswich and, although Liverpool lost 1-0, he made an instant impression, showing neat touches and silky skills.

Indeed in the early part of the treble season Igor was excellent in a midfield role during the wins over Manchester United and Arsenal, but despite dominating midfield against the likes of Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira was never seen again in the position and used as a right and left sided midfielder, right back and centre half by Houllier.

It was under the management of Benitez that Biscan showed what he could really do and he leaves with good memories of his time at Anfield.