Former Liverpool striker El Hadji Diouf has appeared to aim a fresh dig at club legend Steven Gerrard.
The ex- Reds striker is currently with the Senegal coaching staff at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. England are preparing to face the Africa Cup of Nations winners on Sunday in their last-16 tie.
Diouf has previously been critical of Gerrard in the past, with the striker’s time at Anfield marred in controversy . He was contracted for three years at Anfield following his move from Lens in 2002 - before signing for Bolton Wanderers in 2005, after a season-long loan stint.
READ MORE: Fast-tracked Liverpool winger ready to take 'big step' after major injury problem
Now working as a coach with Senegal, Diouf has appeared to have another pop at Gerrard when talking about preparing to face England. The former Liverpool striker referenced the ex-Reds captain in comparison with the current Three Lions squad.
“England have a good team and a very good team spirit,” Diouf is quoted saying in The Mirror .
“It’s not like with Stevie G and Frank Lampard, when the two of them didn’t like each other, it’s about team spirit and Southgate did a great job. On Sunday it's not about the best team winning it, it’s the one with the strongest mentality and team spirit who are going to win it.”
Diouf added: “If it goes to penalties, we’re going to win it, easy. I know the goalkeeper we’ve got and I know we can stop some of their penalties.
“When some countries play against African teams, they talk about luck and that they’re not good enough or whatever.
“But what we’ve seen at this World Cup - Tunisia beating France, Morocco going through and Senegal doing well - shows we want to be among the best in the world.”
READ NEXT:
- 'As bad as it sounds' - Trent Alexander-Arnold makes 'absolutely gutted' Sadio Mane admission
- Liverpool takeover latest as FSG sale preference emerges with 'buyers' listed
- Liverpool linked with Julian Ward 'replacement' responsible for some of Jurgen Klopp's best ever signings
- 'Keep them to yourself' - Liverpool legend Graeme Souness slams 'totally unnecessary' Kevin de Bruyne comments
- Liverpool told Mohammed Kudus is ready for 'big club' amid transfer links
