Liverpool FC Forum

by **KARMANI** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:18 pm

From the Official site:

RAFA: WE WANT GOOD OFFER FOR DIOUF
Paul Eaton 15 March 2005
Rafael Benitez has admitted he would be prepared to welcome El Hadji Diouf back into his Liverpool squad next season if the Reds fail to receive an acceptable offer for the Senegal star.
Diouf is currently on a season long loan to Bolton Wanderers where he has justified Sam Allardyce's faith in him by netting seven goals to aid the club's quest for a European place.

Benitez insists he isn't concerned by the player's disciplinary record, but he did reveal if Diouf did return to Anfield then it would not be as a first team player.

He said: "We know that Diouf has a contract with us for the future. It's true that he's playing very well at the moment and as a club we know it's important to have good players for the squad.

"If Diouf continues playing as well as he has been then we will wait for an offer of four or five million pounds. If we don't get an offer around that amount then maybe we will use him in the squad next season. It's always important to have good substitutes."

On the subject of Diouf's disciplinary record, Benitez added: "I don't worry about things like that. If we decide to bring him back to the club then he will be involved in the squad, sometimes as a substitute and maybe he can play some games."

Maybe the days of us getting ripped off in the transfer market are over?

Certainly Morientes and Garcia represent good value at £6m ish each compared to the vastly over-inflated prices Houllier used to pay.

Admittedly, the market is very different to a few years ago but c'mon £10m for Dioufus??!!

At least Rafa would rather have him back than release him for nothing.

The man obviously has good business acumen as well as posessing tactical awareness.

Nice one Rafa. :cool:

by **stmichael** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:27 pm

It's basically just saying, pay the £5m or we'll keep him. Would rather him be on our bench than in someone elses first XI for a tenth of what we paid.

by **Paul C** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:28 pm

I think he did two things with that interview:

1. let Bolton know they won't screw us over this deal

2. Put the sh1ts up Diouf that he might have to come back to Anfield and sit on the bench which is something he won't want to do.

by **banana** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:29 pm

£ 5 millions would probably price him away from Bolton. I think Diouf could be a good fit for spanish football. Benitez should use him as leverage in a player + cash deal.

Aimar = £ 8 million + Diouf?

But I don't think Aimar is the right player to sign right now. Him and Garcia will definately be lightweight. And we should first secure one or two central defenders as our defence have been very very vulnerable. Hyypia is three years past it and a complete joke at present.

by **anfieldadorer** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:30 pm

regardless of his attitude, diouf is only bad since he's expensive

by **jonnymac1979** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:30 pm

Is right Rafa. He's telling it like it is.

It's always important to have good substitutes

He doesn't want Diouf does he?

by **LiverpoolFan00** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 4:31 pm

Priority this summer is definetly a defender or two. Think Diouf is worth 5m they way he has played this season. We also need a top class keeper

by **Lando_Griffin** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 6:14 pm

Diouf's got talent, but he's a complete tosspot. If he'd spat at me I'd have t*atted the little crapper's lips into next week. Rafa's right. Doesn't really want to keep him, but it's better that than lose the little scutter for nothing. The Boss is sorting things properly now. Nice change to know we're in capable hands! Gerry would've kissed botties to give him away for free!!! :cool:

by **taff** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 6:18 pm

Paul C wrote:I think he did two things with that interview:

1. let Bolton know they won't screw us over this deal

2. Put the sh1ts up Diouf that he might have to come back to Anfield and sit on the bench which is something he won't want to do.

Rafa just keeps on impressing with his general management and media savvy

Totally agree with you. This is a public message to club and player

He also does it in a nice way as well

by **7_Kewell** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 6:21 pm

basically he has said to Bolton "pay us half what we did and he's yours"....i tihnk Bolton were expecting to pay 2 million....and i'd rather have him in the reserves than leaving for pittance. I still think he'll go back to France, either on another loan or sale.

by **Scottbot** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:18 pm

Rafa & Big Sam are simply playing cat n mouse over Diouff. Big Sam says he'll pay a couple of mill - the gaffa says he wants five, Diouff gets sent off an Big Sam says he's not sure he wants him (thas boll.ox) so Rafa comes back with 'we want 5'.

Personally i would expect the fee to be somewhere between the two figures. Three million is probably about the mark. Considering the players record since coming to England that would be good business.

by **HistoryGirl** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:29 pm

i agree with you scottbot between £3-4million i think is about right cos of his ****** disciplinary record and attitude, if we don't get that maybe Rafa should bring him back and stick him in the reserves and se how he likes that. Anyone know how much he get paid a week?

by **JC_81** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:30 pm

Good management by rafa again!

by **Nando** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:44 pm

just checking out my sig!!

by **Igor Zidane** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:47 pm

Nando wrote:just checking out my sig!!

THATS TO HARD FOR ME ACE I'VE GOT A HEAD ACHE NOW

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