Life is hard for Diao

"I want to regain my place in the Liverpool side but this season Gerard Houllier has changed the tactics this season and now only uses one defensive midfielder," said the Senegalese international. "That has made my life harder.

"If I can't get back in then I will have to look at other things."

Diao has made 47 appearances for Liverpool since his £5m transfer in the summer of 2002, but is now likely to move on at the end of the season.