Liverpool's worst signings ever: 20-16

16. Bernard Diomede

In compiling lists of this nature, the thought has popped into our head that a countdown of the worst players to ever win a World Cup needs to be undertaken. This eureka moment came when we came to contemplate the presence of Bernard Diomede in the Liverpool squad from 2000-2003.

Diomede started each of France´s opening group games at the 1998 World Cup, a victorious campaign he had little to do with. Still, with a World Cup Winners medal, Liverpool fans had every right to be somewhat optimistic about his arrival.

Signed by Gerard Houllier for £3 million in the summer of 2000, Diomede turned out to be an unmitigated disaster. He managed a miserable total of five games in three seasons at Anfield before finally being loaned out to Ajaccio. Needless to say, the club didn´t offer him another bite at the cherry at Anfield.

The hapless Diomede also had to endure the ignominy of being derided by fellow sportsmen in France. The 2003 rugby World Cup squad named their cockerel mascot in his honour. “ I thought it was a joke,” remarked Diomede. As far as his Anfield career went, the joke was very much on LFC.