Liverpool faces having to conduct its transfer activity against the backdrop of the World Cup taking place in North America, with prime target Yan Diomande at the tournament with Ivory Coast
22:11, 07 Jun 2026
The Senegal team lines up ahead of a 2002 World Cup game against France
Liverpool signed El Hadji Diouf (bottom row, second left) during the 2002 World Cup
Liverpool is facing having to carry out its activity in the summer transfer window against the backdrop of the World Cup taking place in North America.
The main marquee target that Liverpool is being linked with is RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, and the Ivorian is reportedly hopeful of having his future sorted before the tournament gets under way this week.
However, there is a more than reasonable chance of that not happening, considering the World Cup starts in just a few days' time, and the reality is that clubs will still try and complete signings while the tournament is taking place.
That's something that happened 24 years ago, when Liverpool secured the services of Senegal prospect El Hadji Diouf, with the deal being announced during the tournament.
News first broke following Diouf's man-of-the-match performance in Senegal's shock win over France in the opening game of the tournament, and it was later confirmed.
"I have signed for five years. It's definite. The next season, I'll be there," Diouf said.
"I am delighted to be joining Liverpool. I want to become one of the best players in the world and I'm sure that at Liverpool, with a coach like Gerard Houllier, I can do that."
Unfortunately for Liverpool Diouf did not come close to living up to the promise he showed in that World Cup win over France during his Liverpool career.
He stayed at the club for two seasons, before leaving for Bolton Wanderers.
El Hadji Diouf had a disappointing Liverpool career
(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Diouf was a famously controversial character, and there is no love lost between him and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
Speaking in 2020, former Liverpool player Florent Sinama Pongolle revealed details of a fallout the pair had at Liverpool. "Half-time of a pre-season game. Fight between Diouf and Gerrard. I was traumatised. Can you imagine the young ones seeing this and thinking that's what professionals are like at that level?
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"At half-time, in the dressing room. Stevie G is all like, 'You have to pass, you have to pass' and [Diouf] just loses it. He didn't speak English. His English was rubbish. You know what he did? They hated each other so much.
"Steven Gerrard arrives, he insults Diouf. 'Hey, you f-----'. And [Diouf] couldn't answer, so he grabs Gerard Houllier and says, 'Tell him, I'll f--- his mum'. He came in and said, 'I'm not his mate, I'll do him in straight away.'"