Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes Gerard Houllier has landed a bargain in El Hadji Diouf.
The Reds are expected to pay around £9million for his services and as the fee was already been agreed prior to the World Cup, Rush believes the club will be saving around £10million as a result.
"When the Liverpool manager revealed that he was not going to sign Nicolas Anelka on a permanent deal there were a lot of raised eyebrows," said Rush.
"Some people just couldn't understand why Houllier had decided against keeping a proven worldclass talent at the club. But those Kopites who know Houllier's management style were convinced he had something special lined up instead of Anelka. They were spot on.
"From what I've seen of El Hadji Diouf so far, that faith in Houllier will not go unrewarded.
"Marcel Desailly and Frank LeBoeuf must still be having nightmares about Diouf's display for Senegal in the opening game of the World Cup.
"It was an incredible performance from the African Footballer of the Year, particularly as he was on his own up front. He made one of the world's best defenders in Desailly look like an average lower league player.
"If Lens had waited until after the World Cup then a fee closer to £20 million would have been demanded."
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