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There was plenty of excitement around Diouf, who celebrates his 44th birthday today (January 15), as the Reds believed he could help fire the club to the Premier League title.

A brace on his Anfield debut provided brief hope, but Diouf scored just six goals in 80 appearances, proving to be a controversial figure during his time on Merseyside.

At the time they wanted me also."

After scoring on his Anfield debut, Diouf did not score another league goal until March.

The forward’s poor disciplinary record also didn’t endear him to the Liverpool faithful, receiving 13 yellow cards and a red in his final year at the club.

In a UEFA Cup tie against Celtic in March 2003, Diouf spat at an opposition fan and was later interviewed by the police.

"On occasions he has not given a good impression of the club, and that has no doubt in my mind affected people's views."

While Diouf wished he had signed for United, who went on to win the league in 2003, Liverpool had their own reasons to feel frustrated.

The Reds had failed to sign former loanee Nicolas Anelka on a permanent deal that summer, with Diouf brought in to replace the Manchester City-bound striker.

Diouf had a frosty relationship with new captain Steven Gerrard, and Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher later gave a damning verdict of the forward’s time at the club.
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