Houllier : Diouf chose Liverpool ahead of Valencia

Liverpool Manager Gerard Houllier has said that the Anfield club won the race to sign Senegal International El Hadji Diouf ahead of Spanish Champions Valencia.

Diouf currently playing for Senegal at the World Cup was all set to join the Spanish side from french outfit Lens.

Houllier told Liverpool's website: "I didn't realise he was for sale until I discovered Lens were about to sell him to Valencia. I moved in and he has come to Liverpool.''

Diouf and his fellow International Salif Diao will arrive on Merseyside after the World Cup.

Houllier said: "It was not a case of signing these players because of their performances in the World Cup, although they have come to a lot more people's attention now.

''Diao is a strong powerful midfield player and Diouf is a striker with real talent."

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