Diouf hits out at Houllier

Senegal's El Hadji Diouf has hit out at Gerard Houllier

Senegal striker El Hadji Diouf has criticised Gerard Houllier, his former manager at English Premiership side Liverpool.

The former African Player of the Year, who is now on loan at Bolton Wanderers, told a British newspaper that he was happy to be away from Anfield.

Diouf, who scored only three Premiership goals in 55 appearances for Liverpool, said strife within the squad was having a bad effect.

"It was a shambles there. The players had enemies amongst themselves," he told the newspaper.

"The squad was not close-knit.

"The French were on one side, the English and Czechs on the other.

"It's a great relief to have left Liverpool, Houllier never managed to get the respect of players."

Diouf went on loan to Bolton when new Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez made it clear that the 23-year-old was not part of his plans.

Firstly Diouf was not given a new squad number at Liverpool after his number nine shirt was handed to French striker Djibril Cisse, and then the Senegal star was not taken on the club's pre-season tour of the USA.

When Houllier left Liverpool in May he named Diouf as the biggest failure in his transfer policy.