PAST PLAYER PROFILE - El-Hadji Diouf

El-Hadji Diouf : Striker 2002-2005
Date of Birth: 15/01/1981
Birthplace: Senegal
1st team games: 80
1st team goals: 6
Other clubs: ASC Kaani Gui, Socheaux, Rennes, Lens
International caps l: 40
International goal l: 16
Honours with Liverpool: Worthington Cup 2003.


PROFILE
Former record signing El-Hadji Diouf made a permanent switch to Premiership side Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2005 after a successful season loan spell with the Trotters.

African Footballer of the Year 2002 and 2003 El-Hadji Diouf was a major disappointment at Anfield despite a big money 10 million transfer fee when Gerard Houllier signed him from Lens.
Houllier put his faith in Diouf and made the choice to sign him and not take up the permament signing of loan star Nicolas Anelka. It was a decision that was to backfire on the manager as in the end Houllier left the club in the summer of 2004.
Originally signed as a striker but played on the right wing, Diouf scored just six goals in his first season including three in the Worthington Cup.

In 2003/04 he became the first player to wear the number nine at Liverpool not to score a goal for over 50-odd years. He made 33 appearances and went over 14 months without a goal.
After a series of disciplinary problems Diouf was then off-loaded by new manager Rafael Benitez on a season's loan to Bolton Wanderers.

Diouf enjoyed a mixed debut season at Anfield but his best performance was reserved for the 2003 Worthington Cup Final as Liverpool beat Manchester United.

The second most expensive player in the history of LFC up until the signing of Djibril Cisse, Diouf starred in the 2002 World Cup Finals for Senegal and helped his side reach the quarter-finals before they lost 1-0 to Turkey.

Diouf first came to the public eye with his stunning performance in the opening World Cup win over France. He created the only goal of the game and led defenders Lebouef and Desailly a merry dance. The very next day his 10 million transfer was confirmed by Liverpool.

His move from northern France was no shock, since Marseille, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Parma had all considered prising him away.

Diouf also starred in the 2002 African Nations Cup as Senegal finished runners-up to Cameroon.

Diouf kicked-off his French career at Sochaux, playing 15 league matches in 1998/99. But it wasn't until the following season, with Rennes, that he scored his first goal.