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At number 44 in our '100 Players Who Shook The Kop' countdown is the recently departed midfield enforcer Didi Hamann.
Four years after our ground-breaking '100 Days That Shook The Kop', we are delighted to invite you to enjoy our new '100 Players Who Shook The Kop' series – the definitive countdown of the 100 players who have made the biggest impact at Liverpool.
Over 110,000 supporters have all nominated their own personal Top 10 players in order of impact made and now the definitive top 100 countdown is underway.
Every player who has made the top 100 – and there are some surprises in there - will be honoured on this website via the e-Season ticket console with a specially produced video clip, including archive footage and exclusive interviews.
Since 1892 hundreds of players have represented this club but everyone has their own particular favourites so don't expect this list to be based solely on talent. The greatness of a player can be measured in many ways – obviously, his ability on the pitch is the most important, but 100 PWSTK is much more than that. It's about the impact the individuals chosen have had on this club, be it for a variety of reasons. Maybe it was because of their unique rapport with the crowd, a specific incident that has never been forgotten or anything else that has left a lasting impression.
Name: Dietmar Hamann
Years at Liverpool: 1999 to 2006
Position: Midfield
Date-of-birth: 28/7/1973
Birthplace: Waldasson, Bavaria
Signed from: Newcastle United
Games: 283
Goals: 11
Honours: European Cup (2005), FA Cup (2001, 2006), UEFA Cup (2001), League Cup (2001, 2003), Super Cup (2001, 2005), Charity Shield (2001)
The recently departed Dietmar Hamann is fully deserving of his status as a modern day Liverpool legend for it was his contribution that changed the destiny of the two most dramatic cup finals in living memory. Signed from Newcastle United by Gerard Houllier in 1999, Hamann was widely regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in Europe during his time with the Reds, performing to a consistently high level week-in, week-out, and winning a host of medals in the process. A man for the big occasion, the former German international was an integral member of the treble cup winning side of 2001 but will forever be remembered for the role he played in the Champions League Final of 2005 and the FA Cup Final of the following year. In Istanbul, he entered the field as a second half substitute and inspired the team to a miraculous three-goal comeback, famously marking Kaka out of the game and scoring the vital first penalty in the shoot-out. Twelve months later he performed a similar job in Cardiff as Liverpool once again fought back from the dead to defeat West Ham and lift more silverware. In 2002 he made history by becoming only the second Liverpool player to appear in the World Cup Final, but it was in the red shirt that he was always most appreciated. A tough tackling midfielder and fine passer of the ball, Hamann's number one quality was perhaps his ability to break up opposition attacks. Never one to seek the limelight, he carried out his job quietly with a high level of efficiency, quickly establishing himself as a favourite among the fans and was viewed as an adopted Scouser by those on the Kop. It was a sad day all round when the popular German star finally brought the curtain down on a glorious seven years at the club only last month but he left with the best wishes of everyone at Anfield as he joined Manchester City on a free transfer.
Sold to: Manchester City (July 2006)
Claim to fame: Marking Kaka out of the game during the second half of the 2005 Champions League Final
Did you know? While playing for Germany he scored the last goal at the old Wembley Stadium in 2000
Where is he now? Manchester City
Jamie Carragher on Dietmar Hamann: "He's what you call a big game player. He always plays well in the big games, no matter who he's up against. We're talking about a player who has also played in a World Cup Final. That shows just what a top player he is."
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