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A round-up of today's other stories in brief
El-Hadji Diouf vents his views about ‘egotistical’ Gerrard
Former Liverpool player El-Hadji Diouf has labelled Steven Gerrard “egotistical” and claimed major figures at Liverpool “cannot stand” the current club captain.
Leeds United forward Diouf gave an interview to French sports daily L’Equipe in which he defended himself against his bad-boy reputation and hit out at his former Anfield team-mate, who criticised him in his 2007 autobiography.
Gerrard wrote: “I wasn’t Diouf’s number one fan. Being around Melwood and Anfield I knew which players were hungry, which players had Liverpool at heart. Diouf was just interested in himself.
“His attitude was all wrong. I felt he wasn’t really a***d about putting his body on the line to get Liverpool back at the top.”
Diouf said: “I was in Pele’s 100 players of the century. Not him. I respect him as a footballer, but there is nobody more egotistical than him.
“He does not care about others. I spoke to the major figures at Liverpool and nobody can stand him. And I am not talking about (Jamie) Carragher.”
Everton agree deal for Hitzlsperger
Everton have signed German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger on a short-term contract until January, subject to international clearance.
The former Aston Villa and West Ham player has been without a club since leaving Wolfsburg in the summer.
Everton confirmed the deal yesterday and are hopeful that because the contract was signed before the midday deadline he will be available to David Moyes for tomorrow’s Premier League clash at QPR.
Hitzlsperger managed only two league starts in the Bundesliga last season after he suffered a knee injury.
In a bid to earn a deal at Goodison Park, Hitzlsperger has been training with the Toffees and played 90 minutes for the under-21 side on October 8th.
Moyes has moved for the 30-year-old after it was confirmed that Marouane Fellaini will miss the next three weeks with a knee injury, while he is also without Darron Gibson with a thigh injury. Hitzlsperger has earned 52 caps for his country and made 208 league appearances for Aston Villa.
Kirkland punched in Yorkshire derby
Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was assaulted on the field during last night’s Yorkshire derby draw against Leeds United. The former England international (31) had just conceded a 77th-minute equaliser to Michael Tonge when the incident happened, with a fan running onto the field from the Leppings Lane End which was housing the Leeds fans, and appearing to punch Kirkland in the face.
