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El-Hadji Diouf Claimed Steven Gerrard Let England Down
Steven Gerrard is widely considered to be one of the best players in Liverpool and English football history.
The dominant midfielder was all-action in his prime, capable of doing everything, and is without doubt the best player to never win a Premier League title during his illustrious career with his boyhood club.
But while he did secure victory in the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup, one former teammate believes that he was a ‘let down’ for his country, as he looks to continue a long-standing public feud between them.
Diouf: Gerrard Let England Down
El-Hadji Diouf and Steven Gerrard played together at Anfield during the early 2000’s, notching up 66 appearances together during their time at the club.
The former Senegal forward and Gerrard won a League Cup trophy together in the 2002/03 season, but it is well documented that the two didn’t get on with each other, with Diouf previously slating him while on TV so badly that Emmanuel Petit had to step in to defend him.
Now, during an interview with Spotlight Africa, Diouf has taken aim at his former captain once again, claiming that while Gerrard may be Mr. Liverpool, he is Mr. Senegal, and Senegal is bigger than Liverpool.
“Stevie G was a very good player, people like him in Liverpool. But he never did [anything] for his country,” he said.
“He’s a good player for the club. But for his country, when they need him, he’s never been there. That’s why he can say whatever he wants about me. I’m Mr. El-Hadji Diouf, Mr. Senegal. But he’s Mr. Liverpool, and Senegal is bigger than Liverpool. They have to know that.
“Maybe he didn’t like my character when I was there. I was a strong character. He knows he can’t talk to me like how he wants. He has to give me respect. That was the problem. He was a strong character, I’m a strong character, we’re never going to get along together.
“I never had a problem with him. He never came to see me and talk to me. But after, he can go to the newspaper and talk, whatever he wants to say. That’s not my problem, that’s not my business.
“But only one thing I’ll say – I’ve got character, I want people respecting me. And I know when I used to play in the Premier League and when I used to live in Europe, they don’t treat foreigners like they treat people from the country. But I don’t regret nothing about my life.”
Diouf Has No Fans in Liverpool
It’s no surprise to see Diouf continuing his feud with Liverpool legend Gerrard after their public spats over the years, but Gerrard is not the only one who has had a problem with the former Bolton and Blackburn forward.
Jamie Carragher has previously named him as his worst ever teammate, while ex-Reds striker Florence Sinama-Pongolle has shared a story in the past about how Gerrard and Diouf almost came to blows during a pre-season game.
It’s safe to say that he isn’t the most popular man on Merseyside, and continuing to make provocative comments like this will only continue to see fans and others keep their animosity towards him.
His career has continually been littered with controversy too, having seen him banned for spitting at opponents and fans, charged with motoring offences off the pitch, and recently given a suspended prison sentence for unpaid child maintenance fees to his ex-wife.
Gerrard Bites Back at Diouf
Gerrard has never been one to bite his tongue about his former teammate Diouf, and in his book in 2015 he blasted the Senegalese star.
“I don’t really want to waste time thinking about El Hadji Diouf but it’s worth highlighting his wasted seasons at Liverpool as an example of how it can all go wrong,” he wrote.
“Gerard Houllier, a very good manager and a usually wise judge of character, signed Diouf in the summer of 2002. Gerard bought Diouf for £10m from Lens – solely on the recommendation of his former assistant, Patrice Bergues, who had coached Diouf there.
“I understood why Gerard rushed through the signing, but he did not really know Diouf as a person. He was one of three new signings which were meant to turn Liverpool into Premier League champions.
“We had finished as runners-up to Manchester United the season before and a combination of Diouf, Salif Diao and Bruno Cheyrou was supposed to drive us to the title. It was probably the biggest waste of £18m in Liverpool’s history.
“We finished the season in fifth place and Diouf had sealed his place at the top of the list of Liverpool signings I liked least.
“It seemed to me that Diouf had no real interest in football and that he cared nothing about Liverpool. For example, the way he spat a huge globule of gunky phlegm at a Celtic fan in a UEFA Cup match at Parkhead in March 2003 summed up his contemptuous and spiteful demeanour.
“A few people have since asked me if I saw any comparison between Diouf and Mario Balotelli – and I’ve always said no. I’ve got respect for Balotelli; I’ve got none for Diouf.”
Ex-Liverpool Striker El Hadji Diouf Has Now Been Handed Suspended Prison Sentence
The controversial ex-Premier League man has landed himself in hot water
Thomas Tuchel has been slammed by World Cup legend Davor Suker for his comments ahead of England’s third-place play off against France.
The Three Lions’ bid to become world champions for the first time since 1966 came to an end this week as they were beaten by Argentina in the semi-finals.
Despite that crushing defeat, England were back in action on Saturday evening to contest their third-place play off match against France at Miami Stadium.
Bukayo Saka (3), Jude Bellingham, Ezri Konsa and Declan Rice were all on the scoresheet as England won a thrilling match 6-4.
Thomas Tuchel Downplays Third Place Play Off
Tuchel made his feelings very clear about the third place play off ahead of Saturday’s match. He said:
“None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match. We demand the most of ourselves. That’s just the nature of being competitive. They want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that. Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but that’s how it is.”
Ibrahima Konate echoed Tuchel’s comments, stating that ‘not one’ of France’s players wanted to play the match.
He said: “Not one of us want to play this game for third place, but we don’t have the choice. It was not the objective. How do we mobilise and motivate ourselves? Well, I believe that as French players for this team, many players would have loved to compete and play this game.
“I’m not saying it is easy. Far from it. I’ve read in the press that Tuchel said that no one wants to play this game. Well, it’s true that given the aim and objective we had.
“We wanted to play the final, but we are still representing France and it is the dream of many people to wear the shirt, the jersey, and sing the Marseillaise. Therefore, we need to respect the jersey we’re wearing.”
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Davor Suker Slams Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel’s comments have gone down badly with World Cup legend, Davor Suker. Suker was part of the Croatia side that finished third at the 1998 World Cup. He won the Golden Boot that tournament after hitting the back of the net six times.
The 58-year-old said: “I think the rich don’t want to play when they lose. Some have so many trophies and are so rich that this match means nothing to them.
“My message to them is to be quiet, to respect all 211 participants, and to understand that the world doesn’t belong only to them. The world also belongs to the medium-sized nations, the small ones, and those who simply enjoy football.”
He added: “This match can be very important. After 1998 and the game against the Netherlands, we fought for third place, and today I can speak about it with pride.
“Whoever wins third place, I assure you that in 20 years, when they are older, they will certainly remember that bronze medal. That’s why, in this whole story, coach Tuchel isn’t important. He’s talking nonsense.”
Thomas Tuchel has now revealed why he didn’t bring Bukayo Saka on during England’s World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina.
The Three Lions manager was widely criticised for his defensive tactics in the final 30 minutes of the clash, after Anthony Gordon had put his side in front. Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez turned it around after Tuchel brought on multiple defenders for attacking players.
Saka, Noni Madueke and Ollie Watkins remained on the bench throughout the heartbreaking loss, even when England were chasing a late equaliser. Many believed the Arsenal star was struggling with fitness issues, but it’s now been revealed that wasn’t the case.
Saka Reveals Disappointment at Lack of Game Time
Saka had played a role in each of his country’s first six games, although four were limited to substitute appearances. It then left supporters shocked to see the Arsenal winger left out completely against Argentina in the nation’s biggest game in eight years.
Speaking after his impressive display in helping England secure third place against France, Saka told reporters that he was disappointed not to have played more this summer. He also confirmed that he is fully fit, saying:
“Of course, I would love to have played more but it’s too late to talk about that. I try to do my talking on the pitch and it’s done now, move on. I’m fit.”
The 24-year-old netted his first-ever World Cup hat-trick in the 6-4 victory. He was unstoppable in the first 45 minutes, before coolly dispatching a late penalty.
Thomas Tuchel Explains Saka Snub vs Argentina
Tuchel was asked why Saka wasn’t handed a single minute in the semi-final following the ‘bronze medal’ match. The German coach claimed he simply had a feeling Morgan Rogers would have an impact on the right, saying: “He did everything right. I had a feeling in the semi-final for Rogers. That he would be involved in something special. That was it.”
That feeling proved to be right, as the soon-to-be Chelsea star provided the assist for Gordon’s goal. However, Saka could’ve been introduced later in the game when England needed a way out of Argentina’s relentless pressure.
Tuchel continued: “The games in itself demands so much, so much focus on changes because of cramps and flow of the games.
“Bukayo showed that he is a key player. There is never a doubt. I wasn’t aware he had a hat-trick. I lost the overview of the goalscorers, but brilliant for him and well deserved. He showed he is a top player.”
France were defeated 6-4 in the most action-packed game of the 2026 World Cup as England claimed the bronze medals on Saturday night. Michael Olise was emotional after the game, as revealed by his manager Didier Deschamps.
The iconic Frenchman will now step down from his post as Les Bleus manager after 14 years in charge. His biggest achievement came in 2018, when he guided his country to the World Cup.
Deschamps’ ultimate goal was to leave the trophy and move aside for Ziniedine Zidane to take over. That’s not how things panned out, as France were defeated by Spain in the semi-final before losing to England in the ‘bronze medal’ match.
Didier Deschamps Has to Console Michael Olise vs England
England raced into a four-goal lead before half-time through two Bukayo Saka goals, as well as strikes from Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa. However, France fought back to 4-3 as Kylian Mbappe (x2) and Bradley Barcola struck.
Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before Jude Bellingham put the result beyond all doubt. Ousmane Dembele’s late strike was nothing more than a consolation.
Before Bellingham’s late strike sealed England’s best finish on the biggest stage since 1966, Olise had two gilt-edged opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet. At the time, he would’ve levelled the scoreline.
However, the Bayern Munich man failed to deliver. French outlet L’Equipe reports it led to Olise ‘breaking down in tears’ in the dressing room and ‘blaming himself’. Deschamps revealed in his post-match press conference that he had ‘spoken with Michael‘.
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The ex-Crystal Palace winger, who was born in England, ended the tournament without a single goal, but he did break Pele’s 1970 record for the most assists in a single World Cup campaign (seven).
France Dressing Room Disappointed After ‘Unacceptable’ Display
France midfielder Adrien Rabiot didn’t hold back in his assessment of the first-half performance in particular, which saw the three-time world champions end up 4-0 down. “I saw behaviour from some players that I’ve never seen before,” the experienced midfielder said.
He added: “It’s a bit disappointing, because it was the last match to do well in this competition.” Olise wasn’t the only one feeling disappointed in the dressing room, as Rabiot explained:
“There’s a lot of disappointment after the loss against Spain, but there was work to be done until the very end, and we can’t just allow sloppy things to happen like that.
“We talked at half-time, we told each other we needed to show some pride, and it was much better in the second half because some of the behaviour in the first half was unacceptable.”
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