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DIETMAR HAMANN 1999-2006 by Alex Woo Date of Birth - 27/08/73 Nationality - German Position - Defensive Midfield Games - 283 Goals - 11 Club Hons (Lpool) - UEFA Champions League 04/05, FA Cup 00/01 & 05/06, UEFA Cup 00/01, League Cup 00/01 & 02/03, European Super Cup 2001 & 2005, Charity Shield 2001 International Hons - 62 Germany caps 5 goals Other Clubs - Wacker München, Bayern Munich, Newcastle, Bolton (Registered As Their Player), Man City It's fair to say that a few questions were raised when Liverpool paid £8m to sign Didi Hamann in the summer of 1999. Many fans struggled to see what the German midfielder would bring to an already talented midfield which included the likes of Jamie Redknapp, Patrick Berger and a promising young midfielder by the name of Steven Gerrard. Hamann ruptured his ankle ligaments on his debut away at Sheffield Wednesday, and in his debut season, he struggled to really recapture the form that won him Newcastle's 'Player Of The Year' the previous year. Didi, along with Houllier, took some serious criticism from certain quarters in the summer of 2000, with many believing that the money spent on him was waste, and some fans saying 'he played too deep'. But the following season it didn't take long for 'The Kaiser' to win over the fans, and it became clear why Gérard Houllier paid such a large amount of money to bring him to Anfield. Didi added some much needed steel to the centre of midfield, and along with Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz at the back, wiped away the memories of that 'soft bellied' Liverpool side of previous seasons under Roy Evans. Strong in the tackle, cool in possession, a brilliant reader of the game and a sledgehammer of a right foot were just some of the qualities that made Hamann a hugely influential player for Liverpool as they made their transition under GH. In October 2000, Didi made history when he scored the last ever goal at Wembley as Germany beat England 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying match. It was a trademark Hamann thunderbolt free kick from 30 yards. He only scored 11 goals in his 7 seasons here, although they were mostly memorable strikes, but he probably should have got a few more for someone of his ability. The steely German played a signifcant part in Liverpool's historic treble campaign in 00/01, where he made more appearances in that season than any other midfielder in the squad. He was arguably in the best form of his career, and it was clear how crucial the 'holding midfield' role had become in the modern game. Along with the likes of Roy Keane and Patrick Viera, Didi proved in England, how much of an asset a top class defensive midfielder was. Although the team was in decline in the latter part of Houllier's reign, Hamann's form was as consistent as ever, and he was the perfect foil for Gerrard in the centre of the Liverpool midfield. A model pro both on and off the field, Hamann played a huge role in helping Stevie mature into the player he is now. When Rafa Benitez took over as Liverpool manager in 2004, talk was rife of new players coming in at central midfield, and Didi's place was reportedly under threat. In came the classy playmaker Xabi Alonso, and with Steven Gerrard firmly established as our first choice midfielder, and Didi's legs starting to tire quicker, it would have been easy for him to lose his place in the side. It soon became apparent that Hamann was still an integral part to the Liverpool side, and Didi played a vital role in the Reds glorious run to the Champions League Final. Many were suprised when Didi was left on the bench for the Champions League Final in favour of Harry Kewell. Losing 3-0 to AC Milan at half time in Istanbul, with Kaká running riot, then came what many class as Hamann's finest hour. Coming on at half time for Steve Finnan, Didi produced a brilliant disciplined performance for the rest of the game, and managed to keep Kaká and co relatively quiet. His calming influence and experience was vital as the Reds performed a miraculous comeback from three goals down to pull it back to 3-3. After no more goals in extra time, Hamann picked up a broken toe during the game (in fact some rumours suggest he actually broke it the night before the game!), but still had the nerve to step up and cooly slot the first penalty, leading Liverpool to a famous victory. With the arrival of young midfielder Momo Sissoko the following season, aswell as Bolo Zenden, Didi found his opportunites cut short in or Liverpool. With the Reds finishing runners up in the Premiership to rivals Man Utd, Hamann still had one more part to play in another final. Coming on in the second half of the FA Cup Final, trailing 3-2 to West Ham, his experience was vital as Liverpool managed to equalise through Steven Gerrard's spectacular injury time strike. After another 3-3 draw in normal time, the final went to penalties, with Didi stepping up to take the first penalty just like he did in Istanbul, and again calmly dispatching it, and helping the Reds to a second trophy in as many years. After seven highly successful years, and a rather enviable medal collection, Didi made his emotional farewell that summer in rather strange circumstances. The midfielder signed for Bolton in June 2006, but then had a 'change of heart' and moved instead to Manchester City, having spent only 24 hours with the Trotters. Bolton received £400,000 compensation for a player they had never played. I doubt many can blame him for not wanting to play for Bolton. aabjtdixcGI LP4zIBPMGMc U2-K_eaqviU izYq7yf_Pfo More info on Dietmar Hamann: ++ / LFChistory.net -- Past Present Future