Steven Gerrard candidly identified El Hadji Diouf as the most disappointing teammate he encountered during his time at Liverpool.
In his 2015 autobiography, My Story, Gerrard described Diouf as a representation of ‘how everything can go awry,’ branding him ‘the most significant financial blunder in Liverpool’s history.’
He reflected on the unsuccessful trio of Diouf, Salif Diao, and Bruno Cheyrou, who were brought in to elevate Liverpool’s chances for a title but ultimately contributed to a disappointing fifth-place finish.
Gerrard expressed his lack of respect for Diouf, even comparing him unfavorably to other controversial figures such as Mario Balotelli.
He criticized Diouf’s attitude, particularly highlighting the notorious spitting incident involving a Celtic supporter as a clear indication of his indifference towards the club.