Didi Hamann – Emre Can is doing it right

I had an opportunity to speak with Liverpool legend Didi Hamann, he was speaking ahead of the Liverpool regional heat to find the ‘People’s Pundit’ championed by Carlsberg, the official beer of the Premier League.

I asked him about what he makes of Liverpool’s season so far, he replied that we have been very good and played very well in the last three months. Liverpool are in a good position for top four, the away FA Cup game against Blackburn is not going to be easy however we can progress and try to collect some silverware too.

I followed up the question with what advice would he give to fellow compatriot Emre Can. He praised him and said that he is doing the right things like working hard,  playing well and also being very versatile. Didi predicts that Emre’s role in defensive midfield will be big for the years to come.

Ten years have passed since that fateful night of Istanbul, I enquired of what were the least and best favourite memories from that evening. As I expected the least favourite memory was that at half time when Liverpool were down 3-0. His favourite moment was when Dudek saved Andriy Shevchenko’s penalty and it meant that Gerrard didn’t have to take the penalty and Liverpool were European Champions. He described the incredible homecoming with all the fans out in the streets as the ‘icing on the cake’ to what were wonderful two days.

I also asked him about Gerrard on what made him so special as a player and as a captain. Didi said that although Gerrard was captain at a young age he never took anything fore-granted. He has never stopped improving and has mental strength in abundance. The goal he scored in Istanbul was a pure testament of that as it wasn’t an easy goal to score and it did change the course of the game. He did the same time and time again including the F.A. Cup final against West Ham.

I finally asked Didi about ticket prices and why is it that in Germany the Bundesliga makes them so affordable while in England they are not. His reply was that it was a cultural thing and the Germans like to reward the fans while in England they know that the stadia will be full no matter what the ticket prices are. He said that it has gotten out of hand in the last few years in England and something had to be done.

The mission of the Carlsberg fan squad is to make football better for fans. That’s why, If Carlsberg did Pundits…they’d probably be just like you. Carlsberg and talkSPORT have joined forces to give one fan their big break on national radio and this Thursday sees the potential pundits face off in Liverpool. If you fancy watching our pundits take each other on, head to The Shooters Bar, 6 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool at 8pm.  Find out more at ThePeoplesPundit.co.uk #PeoplesPundit