That Diarra lad

[Neil Young]

Remember the one we signed when Houllier was in charge? I forget which Diarra he was but he made the French team not so long ago, didn't he?

I was thinking about Manchester United's very mysterious Bebe deal and people's suspicions about it when it suddenly came into my mind - Diarra signed for us, was loaned out and never came back. I don't recall if he even ever visited Liverpool.

So does anyone know the story behind it?

[Muddled]

Remember the one we signed when Houllier was in charge? I forget which Diarra he was but he made the French team not so long ago, didn't he?

I was thinking about Manchester United's very mysterious Bebe deal and people's suspicions about it when it suddenly came into my mind - Diarra signed for us, was loaned out and never came back. I don't recall if he even ever visited Liverpool.

So does anyone know the story behind it?

Yeah, he was ****.

[Shaggy]

Alou Diarra. Now France captain I believe

[Craig_H]

Yeah, Diarra was a good prospect who just never got the chance.

Our dodgy Bebe-esque deal, if there was one, was Ferri

[Gingawaria]

Alou Diarra. Don't think there was much of a story behind it to be fair. He's turned out to be a pretty good player by all accounts, been capped 33 times by France.

[Shaggy]

He was later selected to participate in his second consecutive FIFA World Cup. France endured a disastrous campaign as the players went on strike in response to its disagreement over the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka from the team. In the team's final group stage match against hosts South Africa, with several veteran players missing from the squad, Diarra was rewarded with the captaincy for the first time in his international career and led the team to a 2–1 loss, which resulted in its elimination from the competition.[93][94]

Diarra was one of several players retained by incoming coach Laurent Blanc, his former manager. After missing the August 2010 friendly due to suspension, he returned to the team in September playing the entire match in 2–0 wins over both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania. Diarra served as captain in both matches.[95][96] On 9 February 2011, he captained the team for the fifth time in his career in their 1–0 victory over Brazil.[97][98] Though, Blanc has yet to declare a permanent captain, Diarra has been declared the favorite to land the armband by several French news publications.[93][99]

[Neil Young]

Yeah, he was ****.

Alou Diarra. Now France captain I believe

I hadn't realised he'd done that well. Still, seeing that appalling kit they wore the other day (where were the berets and onions?), then playing for France is perhaps less of an honour than it used to be and more of a comedy turn.

[Muddled]

Yeah, he was ****.

I jest, I have no idea.

It does make you wonder about what goes on behind the scenes though. It's like Bebe and De Gea having to have the same new agent. You then think about the players who were bought to be 'insiders' ... although, as I type that, I can only think of Ferri by Houllier.

It must have been Houllier who was insecure.

[RedReet]

Remember the one we signed when Houllier was in charge? I forget which Diarra he was but he made the French team not so long ago, didn't he?

I was thinking about Manchester United's very mysterious Bebe deal and people's suspicions about it when it suddenly came into my mind - Diarra signed for us, was loaned out and never came back. I don't recall if he even ever visited Liverpool.

So does anyone know the story behind it?

I assumed that it was because he was signed by Houllier and not needed at the time with Didi here, then Rafa took over. Been a common theme with these managerial changes here.

Thought at the time we could have dug our heels in and demanded a bit more when selling him, but Rafa celarly had no use for him.

[Neil Young]

Yeah, Diarra was a good prospect who just never got the chance.

Our dodgy Bebe-esque deal, if there was one, was Ferri

I thought the consensus was that Ferri was Houllier's spy in the dressing room.

Not much of a disguise though, he was that poor.

God, we've bought some crap over the years.

[Craig_H]

I thought the consensus was that Ferri was Houllier's spy in the dressing room.

Not much of a disguise though, he was that poor.

God, we've bought some crap over the years.

aye, that's what the commonly agreed explanation was.

Still sounds like laughable bull****, even now

[Galb]

Alou Diarra. Don't think there was much of a story behind it to be fair. He's turned out to be a pretty good player by all accounts, been capped 33 times by France.

He's pretty average though. Big strong and very physical but hopeless passer of the ball. Like an inferior Momo. You can see why he might have fitted in under Houllier's approach but not under Rafa's.

I think (cant be arsed checking) we got him when his contract at Bayern was up so I doubt there was much scope for any shenanigans - he was just one of those young players available on the cheap with some potential who didnt really work out.

[DannyMan2006]

The correct story behind Diarra is this:

Houllier signed him on a Bosman and loaned him out. The following summer Houllier left and Rafa took over.

Rafa rated Diarra quite highly and tried to convince him to come to the club and challenge for a place, but Diarra turned it down and requested a move. He was then duly sold.

Had Houllier been in the job still, I reckon he'd have come back.

[Zapater]

He is/was a good player but isn't the best passer and also too similar to Hamann to be deemed overly useful. It'd have been nice to have him but it's not like it's a huge loss that he had is career elsewhere.

[Fredo]

He's 29 already.