WTF was that about? El-Hadji Diouf at Liverpool 🤦‍♂️ | OneFootball

Liverpool signed El-Hadji Diouf in the summer of 2002 amidst a wave of optimism and expectation.

Diouf had just had a stellar World Cup in Japan and South Korea, earning himself the Man of the Match award as Senegal shocked the World Champions France by beating them 1-0 in the opening game.

Senegal were the surprise package of the tournament after progressing to the quarter-finals, with Diouf’s performances catching the attention of the watching world.

There’s an unwritten rule in football about not buying a player based off their form at a tournament.

If only Liverpool had listened …

Diouf actually made a promising start to his Liverpool career.

After being gifted the famous No.9 shirt, the forward hit a brace on his Anfield debut against Southampton but it soon became clear that this was not a match made in heaven.

He didn’t score for another seven months and finished his time at Liverpool with just three goals in over 50 appearances.

The reality is, Diouf will be remembered at Anfield for his controversial incidents more than for his footballing ability.

During an UEFA Cup game with Celtic at Parkhead in March 2003, Diouf spat at a Celtic supporter which later ended with the Senegalese international being charged with assault.

Trouble followed Diouf wherever he went, and his attitude did not make him popular amongst his teammates, especially his captain at Liverpool, Steven Gerrard:

“It seemed to me that Diouf had no real interest in football and cared nothing about Liverpool.

“I’ve got no respect for Diouf.”

Diouf went on to become a journeyman of British football, with spells at Bolton, Blackburn, Sunderland, Rangers, Leeds and Doncaster Rovers.

Liverpool fans will always remember him, but for completely the wrong reasons.

From conquering the world to becoming a scumbag in Glasgow, quite the career for El-Hadji Diouf.