Exclusive interview with Didi Hamann: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would get fans off their seats at Anfield

In an exclusive interview with GreatOffshoreSportsBooks, Liverpool hero Didi Hamann said that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would get fans off their seats at Anfield if he joined Liverpool.

The Champions League winner adds that Mohamed Salah could have a great partnership with Harry Kane at Bayern Munich if he left Liverpool for the Bundesliga.

Hamann has also urged Marcus Rashford to secure the perfect move in joining Borussia Dortmund and stated that Arsenal would be transformed if they had Darwin Nunez up front.

Full interview

Q: Have Liverpool’s FA Cup win shown off their strength in depth?

DH: “It wasn’t the hardest of opposition but it’s always a good sign when young players get a chance to impress and do so.

“There were a lot of changes for Liverpool but the performance level stayed the same and it’s great to have that intensity in the entire squad no matter who is playing.

“We saw a lot of quality and players who gave their maximum, there are positive signs and Liverpool have been fortunate in the draw as well as big teams going out so they could end up going all the way.”

Q: Are the stars aligning for Liverpool this season?

DH: “Winning breeds confidence and confidence is probably the most important thing when it comes to football. A lot is happening in the mind but if you’re confident, if the chest is out, then you get good performances.

“Liverpool just have some key players who perform week in, week out. They set the tone and they have got serial winners in the squad with Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold as well as Andy Robertson.

“There are a lot of players who act as leaders and that’s mighty important and makes it easier for young ones coming through and learning from experienced players.

“They know that if they make a mistake then the experienced heads will bail them out. That’s what Liverpool have at the moment, the perfect balance in the squad.”

Q: Is Arne Slot’s biggest compliment is that no one is talking about Jurgen Klopp?

DH: “A big complement you can pay to Arne Slot is that no one is talking about Jurgen Klopp, but that could all still change.

“We are halfway through the season and there is a long way to go in the Premier League and in cup competitions you never know what is going to happen.

“Having said that, what Slot has done so far is exceptional. He has a cushion in the league and the title is theirs to lose. When you look at how Manchester United and Arsenal struggled after losing Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, it’s exceptional what he has done.

“Managers turned down Liverpool because they didn’t want to follow Klopp and so far Slot couldn’t have done any better.”

Q: Do you think Trent Alexander-Arnold has already decided to leave Liverpool?

DH: “The longer we don’t hear anything the more likely Trent Alexander-Arnold is to leave Liverpool, but either way he will want his future sorted.

“With four months to go until the end of the season, he is playing a dangerous game because it’s so easy to pick up a bad injury and that will change his plans dramatically.

“I hope he chooses to stay, it’s down to the player and he can wait until the final moment if he wants to, but for peace of mind I think we will find out in a matter of weeks what he is going to do from next season.”

Q: Has Andy Robertson suffered under Arne Slot?

DH: “Andy Robertson has the sending off and a few mistakes but I think he has just been a bit unfortunate. Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way and that doesn’t mean that you’re not an exceptional player.

“We know how good he is going forward and that is what he likes to do, I think he is still decent although there are a lot better players defensively out there.

“I think the system makes things a bit harder for Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but what we have seen is Konstantinos Tsimikas playing so Arne Slot doesn’t see Robertson as one of his key players.”

Q: Are some fans right to begrudge Trent Alexander-Arnold’s links to Real Madrid?

DH: “Trent Alexander-Arnold has won everything at Liverpool including being a huge part of the team that won the Premier League for the first time in 30 years.

“He has been great to watch and he should get a hero’s send off. He has been great to watch, a joy. He is one of the reasons you go and pay £60 to watch the team.

“If Real Madrid come calling he will have to make a decision and the fact he hasn’t signed a new deal shows that he is contemplating it. I think Real Madrid are very hard to turn down.

“If he signs a contract with Liverpool for three or four years, the chance to play for Real Madrid is probably gone. They are still the biggest club in the world and if they come calling, I think it’s very hard to turn down.”

Q: Who could be the next captain at Liverpool after Virgil van Dijk?

DH: “In terms of Liverpool’s future captain, I have never been a fan of it being an attacking player because they have more ups and downs in their form than a holding midfielder or central defender do.

“Alisson might be leaving this summer so I’d look at Ibrahima Konate as a future Liverpool captain after Virgil van Dijk.

“You can also talk about Alexis Mac Allister or Ryan Gravenberch. I think finding a new captain will be a lot easier than finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah.

“If Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk all leave then it will be a huge loss.”

Q: Should Liverpool fans be dreaming of the Treble?

DH: “Liverpool fans should be dreaming of winning the Treble, but the players won’t be.

“They have a chance to overturn a deficit in the League Cup and are top in the Premier League and the Champions League, but we’ve seen how hard it is to win four trophies after Manchester City came up short.

“Things change very quickly in football and you need your key players fit in March and April when the business end of the season comes along. Are Liverpool capable of winning the Quadruple? Yes they are. But anything can happen and they certainly shouldn’t be too disappointed if they only win one or two trophies.”

Q: Was Robbie Fowler right about Darwin Nunez not being a Liverpool player?

DH: “When Darwin Nunez turned the game around against Newcastle last season I thought this is it now and that he had finally arrived, but that hasn’t been the case.

“When you look at Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen, they were both natural finishers, Nunez is clearly not.

“You can improve your finishing but not to the level of someone like Fowler or Owen who could sniff out a chance and you just knew they were going to score.

“He scores the hard chances and misses the easy ones. I like him as a player but you have to put the ball in the net and more often than not he isn’t doing that.

“If he was a better finisher he could be the best player in the world because at times he is unplayable and he brings others into play. Having said that, for £85million you have to say he was too expensive.”

Q: Are Liverpool almost certain to make a big loss on Darwin Nunez?

DH: “Darwin Nunez is a modern footballer who can lead the line on his own and is a huge presence and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got 25 goals a season again at another club where he could hit the ground running.

“But I’d be very surprised if Liverpool didn’t make a loss on him although that could recoup a big part of the money they paid.

“The issue is when you sell up and if they want to get that money now, I wouldn’t sell in January because Liverpool are in all four competitions and could play another 30 games in the next four months.

“You need strength in depth so it would be a mistake to let him go now. He can be a very important player and it would cost a lot of money to replace him. If a Saudi club came in with a bid for £100m then you have to take it. But I’d be reluctant to sell.”

Q: Would Antoine Semenyo be a great addition to Liverpool’s squad?

DH: “Antoine Semenyo is a talented player and has done very well this season, he’d certainly be a name to get Liverpool fans excited.

“Having said that, it can be hard to tell if players will fit into a team like Liverpool on the back of what they have done with other clubs in the Premier League.

“Because of that there is no guarantee that he would be a success.”

Q: Should Yoan Wissa be on Liverpool’s radar?

DH: “Yoan Wissa could be another option for Liverpool because of the question marks over Mohamed Salah. Liverpool have got to be proactive in the market and he is certainly another player I could see in a Liverpool shirt.”

Q: Can Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fill the void left by Mohamed Salah?

DH: “Liverpool have to be thinking about Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, he is a wizard.

“He likes to take people on and he’s a strong runner with the ball. He’s gone a bit quiet now after his stock rose during the Euros.

“Things have calmed down a little bit but he is a player who is well equipped to replace Salagh should he leave the club this summer.

“At the same time, expectations would be on Kvaratskhelia to immediately replicate what Salah has done, whereas a player like Antoine Semenyo would be given more time to settle in.

“But Kvaratskhelia is a player who would get fans off their seats at Anfield and that’s so important to Liverpool. He would excite the supporters and although the blue of Napoli suits him, I could see him in the red of Liverpool.”

Q: What is your prediction for Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool?

DH: “Nottingham Forest are in the Champions League spots but I’d be very surprised to see them still there at the end of the season. What they have done so far is exceptional, but one of the greatest strengths of Arne Slot’s Liverpool is their calmness.

“They have confidence in their game management that the right thing will happen at the right time and that is a sign of a very good team, they don’t panic.

“I expect Liverpool to go and beat Forest because of that despite losing to them at home earlier in the season. Liverpool know they are facing a good team, but Forest are facing the best team in Europe and we will see that.

“I’m predicting 3-1 to Liverpool.”

Q: Will it be another Mohamed Salah masterclass?

DH: “I think Mohamed Salah feels harshly treated by Liverpool, whether that is true or not is a different matter.

“What we have seen is him thriving in that situation and being the best Salah we have seen for three or four years and I think he will keep producing these masterclasses.

“As a forward player over 30 you worry that they might only be six months away from losing their X Factor, but not for him. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Q: Would you like to see Elon Musk buy Liverpool?

DH: “I think quite a few fans made it pretty clear what they think of the idea. The current owners have got quite a bit of stick, but then again, we shouldn’t forget that this has been the most successful era for the club in modern history.

“I can’t see them selling the club to Elon Musk, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Q: Could Anthony Gordon be tempted into a move to Liverpool?

DH: “There have been reports that Anthony Gordon was a Liverpool fan growing up and although Mohamed Salah cannot be replaced, you need to look at players who can influence games.

“At the moment I would look at Gordon and Jarrod Bowen as two brilliant wingers in the Premier League. Gordon had a tough start at Newcastle but has now won the fans over.

“Newcastle are probably reluctant to let him go because he’s their most important player with Alexander Isak, I love watching him and he’s certainly another player Liverpool are looking at.

“If he did grow up supporting Liverpool, people in England are very very connected to their first clubs and I know that from having players at Liverpool who were Everton fans growing up.

“When it comes to transfers, it could be a deciding factor.”

Q: Could Wataru Endo be a success at Celtic or Fulham?

DH: “I think Wataru Endo is a very smart player and he is at his best in a good team where you can rely on the players ahead of you.

“Celtic are of course more dominant than Fulham so I think they would be a better option for him.

“Having said that, the Liverpool squad is functioning and I would be keen for him to stay at the club. He is a great reader of the game and passer of the ball.

“I can see a lot of teams being interested and I wish him all the best whatever happens.”

Q: Would Mohamed Salah continue to thrive at Bayern Munich?

DH: “I think the Premier League is probably the most competitive league and if you play for a team like Liverpool then everybody wants to knock you off your perch.

“Mohamed Salah has been thriving under that pressure for the last 10 years. He’s been scoring goals, he’s been creating goals. I think he’ll be a success wherever he goes.

“I don’t think there’s any league where he wouldn’t be a success. Obviously his age comes into it, but the way he’s performed and how fit he is, I think he’s got at least another couple of years at the highest level.

“If he went to Bayern Munich he would continue being such a success like he has at Liverpool, but they might be one of 10 teams on his doorstep if he does announce that he is leaving.”

Q: Could Mohamed Salah play alongside Harry Kane?

DH: “Harry Kane likes to play with quick wingers like he does at the moment with Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane and Michael Olise – he’d jump at the chance to play alongside Mohamed Salah.

“Salah in the Bayern squad would give Kane a better chance to win trophies and it could make for a great partnership if that happened.”

Q: Could Bayern Munich try and tempt Trent Alexander-Arnold to the club?

DH: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Bayern Munich have made contact with Trent Alexander-Arnold or with his agent.

“The right-back position is probably the position where they’re looking to sign a player because they brought Sacha Boey from Galatasaray who’s been injured and doesn’t really play.

“Konrad Laimer is a central midfielder and has been doing a good job there, but I think they will be looking for a right-back and with Trent possibly leaving on a free I’m sure they will try to get him.

“Having said that, it looks like it will be Liverpool or Real Madrid next season.”

Q: Is Borussia Dortmund the perfect match for Marcus Rashford?

DH: “Marcus Rashford needs to leave Manchester United to get his career back on track and joining Borussia Dortmund could be the perfect move.

“He is too good a player not to be playing and he might look at how Jadon Sancho rekindled his career with Dortmund.

“Jamie Gittens is doing wonderful things at the club at the moment and if they were to sign Rashford it would be a big statement to other clubs of their intentions for the season.

“They have struggled away from home this season and need to get back towards Champions League football. Rashford to Dortmund would be a great move for both parties.”

Q: Is Omar Marmoush to Man City bad news for Liverpool?

DH: “Omar Marmoush joining Manchester City would be bad news for Liverpool because it strengthens a direct rival and could be the spark they need.

“Having said that, there is nothing they can do about it and they will know that City won’t be a challenger again until next season. Especially when Rodri is back.

“But Marmoush is a brilliant player and I was shocked to see Jack Grealish’s statistics from last year. In Marmoush, City would be getting a player who gets fans off their seats with his pace and trickery.”

Q: Does Evan Ferguson need to push for a move away from Brighton?

DH: “Evan Ferguson had an injury which kept him out for a long time which certainly didn’t help but he’s a hugely talented player and he’s got to be playing games now.

“I think he’s at a stage now that coming on for 10 or 15 minutes is simply not enough. I think there are a lot of teams, including German teams, who will probably look at him as a potential signing.

“He is a fantastic player who holds up the ball well and is very intelligent in his play. He holds up the ball and is a very good finisher. Sometimes managers just don’t fancy some players as much as others and that looks to be happening at Brighton.

“It seems as though Fabian Hurzeler isn’t keen on him because he hasn’t made much of an effort to give him game time and get him into the side, so a loan might be best.

“He has been linked with a loan to Liverpool but would he definitely play? I think Arsenal are lacking a player like Ferguson but sitting on the bench would do him no good. He needs to join a team in which he is certain to play.”

Q: Will his lack of game time harm the Republic of Ireland national team?

DH: “Evan Ferguson’s lack of game time is harming the Republic of Ireland national team because he needs to have a rhythm. Regardless of your age.

“His confidence cannot be high when you are sitting on the bench and he needs to make a decision with what he wants to do next.

“It’s not up to the Irish FA but I’m sure they would be happy to see him go elsewhere and have an influence, it would help the nation.”

Q: Does Caoimhin Kelleher have what it takes to replace Manuel Neuer at Bayern?

DH: “Manuel Neuer is staying at Bayern Munich for one more season so if they sign Caoimhin Kelleher then he might be sitting on the bench for another year.

“I don’t think he would want to do that because he is capable of playing in goal in any team, that’s how good he is. I wouldn’t rule out him starting for Liverpool next season because Alisson has been linked to Saudi Arabia and Giorgi Mamardashvili’s Valencia are sitting at the bottom of the table in Spain.

“Kelleher is a top five goalkeeper for me and I cannot see him wanting another season on the bench.”

Q: Are Arsenal too reliant on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard to win major honours?

DH: “I can’t see Arsenal winning anything without a centre forward. You could maybe win a Cup with a bit of luck and you can win the Champions League without being the best team, but in the Premier League you need to be the best and without a centre-forward there are few teams in history to have won that way.

“You can look at Pep Guardiola’s teams who had the best wingers in the world or teams with the likes of Neymar or Lionel Messi, but Arsenal need a presence.

“Arsenal would be a transformed team with Darwin Nunez up front. Someone with that physical presence who can stretch teams and create space.

“Imagine the damage that Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli could do if Nunez was stretching teams with his pace and occupying defenders. It would change the whole dynamic of the team.

“Kai Havertz might go in behind but in one or two steps he’s already caught by the defenders, Arsenal need a quick centre forward to give them another option.

“I think their struggles going forward are down to a lack of physical presence.”

Q: Could major European clubs tempt Cole Palmer away from Chelsea?

DH: “Cole Palmer will be pleased to see that Chelsea are making progress because getting back into the Champions League was a minimum requirement from this season.

“In two or three seasons time he might think about leaving if he hasn’t won a major trophy, he will want to be challenging at least but at the moment he is committed to the club.

“He has a healthy arrogance to his game and that could end up taking him to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, it depends on what happens at Chelsea. I think what happens over the next 12 months will be key.”

Q: Is Harry Kane right to say he will finish with a full trophy cabinet?

DH: “Harry Kane is saying the right thing about his trophy cabinet because you have got to have targets, but what I will say is that he has to start winning trophies soon if his dream is going to become a reality.

“He isn’t getting any younger and although Bayern Munich are at the top of the Bundesliga and have a chance in the Champions League, they are already out of the cup.

“They are in the top five Champions League favourites but Liverpool are out in front, what I will say is that Kane won’t get a better chance to win a trophy than this season.”

Q: Would Kobbie Mainoo be an even better player if he was at Liverpool?

DH: “I was stunned to see Kobbie Mainoo being linked away from Manchester United because you assume that he is one of the players that the team would be built around.

“I love watching him and it’s testament to him that he has progressed at a club which has been dysfunctional for the last decade. Young players can usually thrive when they have players like Virgil van Dijk in the team who can clean up any mistakes, so it’s impressive that Mainoo has done that at United.

“Having said that, had Mainoo come through the ranks at Liverpool then he would be an even better player because of those around him, but it speaks volumes that he has been a success at United without the same senior experienced players around him.”

Q: When could Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United compete for the title?

DH: “I think Ruben Amorim’s are five years away from competing for the Premier League title.

“They are a long way behind Liverpool this season and I cannot see them competing in the next two or three years, there is still a long way to go and we are still hearing about players who might be leaving the club in that time.

“Amorim will know what he signed up for and the players he has to work with, he didn’t have to take the job so he must believe he can turn things around given time.”

Q: Will Liverpool have one hand on the title if they beat Nottingham Forest?

DH: “If Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest it will feel like they are 12 points clear with their game in hand, but it would then feel like Liverpool have a lot to lose.

“You can’t see Liverpool losing four games and others below them being perfect, but having a huge lead can do funny things to the mind and start making players feel a bit differently.

“Once you get a feeling you’ve got something to lose, you might get a bit cautious, you might get a bit defensive and that could be the difference between winning or losing a game.

“In Liverpool’s favour, they have a lot of players who have been in this situation before. There’s probably seven or eight players who won the league a few years ago so they know how to deal with that situation, which makes me confident.”

Q: Who are your favourites to win the Champions League?

DH: “Liverpool would be my Champions League favourites and behind them are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Inter.

“Inter are doing great things at the moment and they are solid defensively, they hardly concede. They were also in the final a couple of years ago and they would be my dark horses.”

Q: What would be the hardest possible final for Liverpool?

DH: “The hardest final for Liverpool would come down to psychology, it could be Carlo Ancelotti coming up against Arse Slot and both playing mind games.

“But having said that, I think the nightmare final for Liverpool would be against Bayern Munich because it is being played at their home stadium.

“On their day Bayern can be exceptional and on the day I think there would be very little between the two teams.”

Q: Would a Liverpool vs Bayern final break your heart either way?

DH: “I follow all my former teams and I have sympathy for all of them. I’ve been very fortunate to play for some huge clubs and I’d just want the best team to win. Either way I would be happy.”

Q: Is Liverpool’s contract confusion the biggest barrier to winning the lot?

DH: “Liverpool’s contract confusion could be the biggest barrier to them winning a Treble, but the hope is that the players focus on what is important.

“Some players cannot do that and some can, the three players all seem to be doing exceptionally at the moment to not let it impact them.

“Liverpool do things differently and have been successful over the past 10 years, they have been successful on and off the pitch and if these players do leave them Liverpool will be okay.”

Q: Could Cristiano Ronaldo thrive in the MLS alongside Lionel Messi?

DH: “We’ve seen that Cristiano Ronaldo’s powers are coming to an end, he is getting towards the end of his career so a move back to Europe might not be the best idea.

“I think a move to America would make sense but he’d have to do what Lionel Messi has done and impressed on the pitch if he is to be a megastar out there.

“He might not be capable of doing that in Europe anymore but in America they love to be entertained no matter the sport, it could be a great story.”

Q: Are Everton still in big danger of relegation?

DH: “Everton will be fine in the Premier League this season with David Moyes in charge.

“He did wonderful things at the club in the past and we had some great games against them, they even came close to getting into the Champions League.

“It’s a great story although there is some danger as fans will expect things to be as good as they were before, it would be a big shame if they went down because the city needs to have two Premier League teams.”

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