"Only no. 9 ever to go through a whole season without scoring" - When Carragher named worst player he played with at Liverpool
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher once named El Hadji Diouf as the worst player he played with during his time at Liverpool. The former Senegal international was contracted to the Reds between 2002 and 2005 although he spent the 2004-05 season on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
The former Senegalese striker made 80 appearances for Liverpool during which he scored six goals and provided 13 assists. He failed to find the back of the net during the whole of 2003-04 season, in 33 games across competitions, before leaving the Merseyside giants for Bolton on loan.
While Diouf was far from prolific during his stint at Anfield, he particularly became a notorious figure among the fans for his controversies. He has been involved in some clashes with club legends like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher a number of times.
Jamie Carragher did not hold back when he was asked to name his worst-ever teammate for the Reds. The former Liverpool defender said somewhere around 2016, as quoted by GiveMeSport:
"He has one of the worst strike rates of any forward in Liverpool history. He's the only no. 9 ever to go through a whole season without scoring, in fact he's probably the only no. 9 of any club to do that. He was always the last one to get picked in training."
Then in 2015, the iconic former Reds centre-back said:
"The worst has to be El Hadji Diouf. Actually, I quite enjoyed playing against him as you could kick him then, can’t kick your own players."
Jamie Carragher, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, is regarded as one of Liverpool's biggest legends. He is the second-highest appearance-maker for the club behind Ian Callaghan (857). He made 737 appearances for the Reds, winning 11 trophies in the process.
Liverpool captain details changes made by Arne Slot at the club
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has opened up on the changes made by Arne Slot at Anfield since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer. Slot has made a remarkable start to his stint at the Merseyside club, winning 15 of his first 17 games in charge.
The Reds currently lead both the Premier League and Champions League tables which has seen Slot receive all the plaudits. However, Virgil van Dijk has insisted that it has been far from easy for his compatriot. The Reds skipper said, as quoted by The Liverpool Echo:
"It's not easy. On the other hand, Slot has provided a breath of fresh air. He tackles things in his own way and where I can help him, I do so."
"The coach inherited a very good team. We must not forget that last season we were fighting for the title with Arsenal and Manchester City until five games before the end. Slot is a very good manager."
The Netherlands captain added:
"With the new coach Arne Slot, slightly different things are being asked. Not only from me, but also from the other players. I have a very prominent role in that and I like that. And I think the coach is very happy with that."
"I am in a position where you can see, for example, how the opponent puts pressure. With one or two or three strikers. Are the opponent's full-backs high or not, do they play with one or two controlling midfielders? There are different options every time."
The Reds return to Premier League action on Sunday, November 24, as they take on Southampton away from home. They lead second-placed Manchester City by five points and Chelsea, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and Brighton & Hove Albion by nine points.