EXACTLY 10 YEARS to the day since playing an integral role in Liverpool’s famous Champions League semi-final victory over Chelsea, Didi Hamann is back at Anfield.
While the 41-year-old former footballer may have acquired a few more grey hairs in that time, some things haven’t changed — the ex-German international remains an imposingly tall figure, and is as composed and comfortable answering questions as he was on a football pitch.
Back at his former club as part of a Carlsberg promotional event, Hamann’s passion for Liverpool remains as steadfast as ever.
“It’s where my heart still is,” he says. “When I watch games here, it’s always special coming back. But it’s a different enjoyment when I come here rather than when I was playing.”
The day before this interview, the one-time Champions League winner watched former teammate Steven Gerrard recover from missing a penalty to score what could ultimately prove a vital match-winner in their 2-1 victory over QPR.
Man United’s surprise 1-0 loss to West Brom at the weekend consequently just about keeps Liverpool in contention for an all-important Champions League place. With three games to play, the Anfield club trail the Red Devils by four points — a margin that Hamann feels is difficult but not impossible to recover.
“[Saturday's win] puts us back in the mix. There’s still quite a few points and goals to make up on United, but you never know. Winning the last three games will be a big ask, because we have Chelsea to come, but I still think there’s a chance.”
Liverpool have impressed sporadically this season, but a poor start has meant the highs of last year, in which they challenged for the Premier League title right up until the final day of the season, have not been replicated.
“You’ve got to see where you are at the end of the season. That’s what matters. It’s not important to be 13 games unbeaten if you finish fifth. It shows what a poor start they had — that fantastic run after the United game, 10 wins and three draws, and they were still fifth.”
The club’s disappointing campaign has inevitably led to some unrest, with certain sections of the Liverpool support calling for manager Brendan Rodgers to leave — an issue highlighted by a plane with a ‘Rodgers Out’ banner flying over Anfield on Saturday. Yet Hamann believes such criticism is unlikely to affect the Northern Irishman.
“It’s part of the job. If you manage a big club, everybody expects success, but I don’t think it’ll bother him at all.”
One person who won’t be sticking around for much longer is club captain Steven Gerrard, as he prepares to join LA Galaxy in the summer.
“He’s been a major player for the last 15 years, but everything comes to an end. He didn’t play every week this year and somebody’s got to stand up and come in.
“You always want to bring in good players, but it’s important to share responsibility. Other players can’t do what he’s done — a Steven Gerrard only comes along every 40 or 50 years. Of course, he’s going to be a big loss, but at the same time, it gives someone else a chance. Some other players have done well in his absence this year and they’re obviously going to do it over the course of the season next year.”
(James McCarthy almost joined Liverpool as a youngster)
One of a number of players who could potentially come into midfield in Gerrard’s absence is Everton’s James McCarthy. The Ireland international has come close to joining Liverpool in the past, while ex-Reds defender and Sky pundit Jamie Carragher recently said McCarthy was the Toffees player he would most like to see join Liverpool.
Does Hamann agree with ex-teammate Carragher that the 24-year-old would be good enough to thrive at Anfield?
“I’ve been a big fan of his. I think he’s done ever so well this season. Whether he’s a player Liverpool are interested in remains to be seen.
“In that central midfield area, it depends what happens with Lucas Leiva, and they’ve got Joe Allen and [Jordan] Henderson, so somebody’s just got to step up and perform at the highest level every single week, because that’s what needs to happen with Stevie gone.”
While Gerrard’s future at the club has been certain since January, another key player whose fate remains unresolved is Raheem Sterling. The 20-year-old winger turned down a £100,000-a-week deal recently, causing some critics to doubt his commitment to the club.
“He’s got two years left,” Hamann says. “It depends how much money the club will want [to spend on him], but this is something that will be dealt with in the summer. It’s not important now. What’s important is to get as many points as possible.”
(Hamann has been a regular member of the RTÉ punditry team since the 2010 World Cup)
Hamann himself has become increasingly familiar face to Irish viewers in recent times, owing to regular appearances as a pundit on both British and Irish TV. Is he enjoying this new career in the media?
“It’s been great. I always enjoy going over [to Ireland]. I’m good mates with Eamo [Dunphy], Johnny Giles and Richie [Sadlier] as well. Darragh [Maloney] is doing a great job.”
And does Hamann find there is a big difference between British and Irish TV, and a greater freedom to be hard-hitting on the latter, owing to the greater level of distance between the pundits and the players being analysed?
“I always try to say it as I see it. That’s what I’m there for. But I did learn a lot off the RTÉ guys. The 2010 World Cup was the first time I’d been working on a regular basis. Seeing these guys close up — how they prepare, what they do in front of a camera and behind it, has been very impressive.
“I’ve been out with Eamo a few times. He’s calmed down now that he’s gotten a bit older, so I don’t think he’s as wild as he once was.”
Dietmar Hamann was speaking in Liverpool for the culmination of Carlsberg’s ‘Join The Greats’ Campaign. 20 Irish fans won a VIP trip over to see Liverpool’s home game against QPR and also the once in a lifetime opportunity to #JoinTheGreats and play on the hallowed Anfield turf. Check it out on Carlsberg Football’s Facebook page facebook.com/carlsbergfootball
