Diao set for Pompey move

The Senegal international midfielder had insisted that he had not been contacted by Harry Redknapp's men, but it appears that Liverpool are keen to offload Diao's considerable wages by agreeing a season-long loan with the Fratton Park outfit.

Diao's compatriot El-Hadji-Diouf, still to be assigned a squad number, could be next to exit Anfield, with Spanish sides Malaga and Real Betis ready to pounce in the coming weeks.