El Hadji Diouf Takes Another Swipe At Former Colleague Steven Gerrard

The word teammate is usually used to describe players on the same team but it's fair to say that it was never right to describe Steven Gerrard and El Hadji Diouf in those terms. The striker's had another pop at the Liverpool legend.

El Hadji Diouf is almost as well liked in Liverpool as certain red topped newspapers. The Senegal striker might be up there as one of the worst signings in the Anfield club's history, certainly in the Premier League era.

The Senegal striker made a name for himself at the 2002 World Cup, especially as his team upset the odds by beating reigning champions France in the opening game, and that got him a move to the Premier League with Liverpool.

_{Diouf was known better for his spitting and diving at Liverpool than his goalscoring. Image: PA}

But spitting, general petulant behaviour and just three goals in two season quickly led to his departure from Anfield. Since then he's seemed to be in a constant war with Steven Gerrard.

Speaking to the BBC the now retired former footballer took a swipe at Gerrard, that doesn't seem to make much sense:

"I have no problem with him [Gerrard]. He is a strong character and I am a strong character.

"Stevie G was a very good player. People like him in Liverpool but he never did anything for his country. I am Mr El Hadji Diouf, Mr Senegal but he is Mr Liverpool and Senegal is bigger than Liverpool and he has to know that."

_{Mr Senegal helped his country pull off one of the biggest shocks in the World Cup back in 2002. Image: PA}

It's not the first time the former Bolton Wanderers striker has lit the flames of his 'rivalry' with the former England captain. When Gerrard retired Diouf said, "I respect the player, very big player, but the man, I do not respect...

"I am up for it. He could not, he was afraid of looking into my eyes. He was afraid of talking to me. Let's not forget when I arrived I did not ask for his shirt. He asked for my Senegal shirt for one of his mates."

_{Steven Gerrard here struggling to look into Diouf's eyes. Image: PA}

It's fair to say there's no loved loss between the pair of players. Not so much teammates as best of enemies.

Really it sounds like Gerrard was always jealous of Mr Senegal, he just wants to be known as Mr England, clearly...

Topics: Liverpool, Senegal, Steven Gerrard

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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