Didi Hamann, the Kaiser, returns to Anfield with Manchester City tomorrow and insists it will be an emotional occassion.
The former Liverpool midfielder grabbed 283 appearances for the reds, with his performance in the European Cup final in Istanbul ranked very highly by Liverpool fans.
The midfielder had this to say ahead of the clash:
“It will be emotional,” he admitted. “I went to the Galatasaray match earlier this season when I said hello to a few people, but that’s the only time I’ve been back.
“A part of me feels like I still belong there. I was there a long time and had some wonderful memories. Part of me is still Liverpool and I hope I get a nice reception.
“I’m surprised at how they’ve started, because I really thought they would be genuine title contenders this season.
“I didn’t think they’d be so many points behind the top two, which is really down to their away record – although they have had their five or six toughest away trips already.
“But I still think they will finish top three. We put together a run of nine or 10 wins last season and they are capable of doing it again.”
Hamann will know all about his former team-mate Stevie G with who he will battle for control of tomorrow’s central midfield:
“If Stevie’s on his game he’s hard to stop,” he added. “His pace, his passing, his shooting – he can take any defence apart. We have to defend as a team and help each other out, because if you let yourself get one against one with him you’re in trouble.
“I can’t really give our lads any tips on how to stop him. Our people have watched him a few times and there’s nothing I can really tell them they don’t already know. Except that it will be tough!”
We have no doubts Didi will get a great reception tomorrow.
Hamann was a great servant to our club – he pretty much dragged us back in to that final at Istanbul.
I will be applauding him before the kick off for his years of service at our club.
But once the ref blows the whistle to kick off….