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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Joe Mewis

‘Gerard Houllier wanted me to compete with one of the best young midfielders in England when I joined Liverpool – he was talking about Steven Gerrard, of course’ Salif Diao on the challenge he faced after joining Liverpool

Salif Diao celebrates after scoring the fourth goal for Liverpool in their 5-0 Champions League win against Spartak Moscow at Anfield in October 2002.

Salif Diao has revealed the Gerard Houilier sales pitch that convinced him to join Liverpool in 2002.

The midfielder had enjoyed an impressive two-year spell with French side Sedan when the 2002 World Cup came around, a tournament in which Senegal upset the odds by opening the tournament with a victory over holders France before progressing to the quarter-finals.

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