'Diouf is on same level as three Rs'

Joe Bernstein13 April 2012

Arsenal will face £10 million striker El Hadji Diouf on Sunday with Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier comparing his new signing to the three Rs from Brazil.

The exciting African Player of the Year, who helped Senegal beat France 1-0 in the opening game of the World Cup, is certain to play some part in the Community Shield at Cardiff 's Millennium Stadium.

Houllier promises the striker will provide plenty of thrills in the manner of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho this season.

"If Diouf had a Brazilian passport people would be in awe of his talent," said Houllier.

"He is world class and it was a good job for us we signed him before the World Cup when everyone saw what he could do.

"He had other offers but he wanted to join us. I like to have five forwards and he is a replacement for Robbie Fowler and Nicolas Anelka."

Houllier, who is hoping to lead Liverpool to their first championship since 1990 after finishing runners-up last season, has been boosted by a £15 million three-year sponsorship deal with Carlsberg.

The company first sponsored Liverpool in 1992 and the club's chief executive, Rick Parry, said: "It doesn't mean Gerard will immediately be given £15m to spend but this is extra revenue for the club and some of it can be handed over for players."

Liverpool will have a second new face on view in Cardiff in midfielder Bruno Cheyrou, who was snapped for £4.5m from Lille. But Senegalese World Cup midfielder Salif Diao is unlikely to be included after only arriving on Merseyside this week.

England pair Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard will play after being eased through Liverpool's pre-season programme.

Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek said: "We know that if we can win on Sunday it will give us a big lift before we begin our Premiership matches, especially as we are playing against the champions.

"We are going into this game on the back of a tough pre-season programme, where we have had games against some very good sides, such as Lazio, Real Madrid and AC Milan. Sunday is another one of those games."

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