I shouldn't have played in infamous Merseyside derby - Liverpool finished with nine men after a brawl

As Jurgen Klopp prepares to take charge of his final Merseyside derby as Liverpool manager, Everton are closing in on an unwanted landmark.

This year marks 25 years since the Blues last won at Anfield in front of supporters, with a 2-0 victory behind-closed-doors in February 2021 the only time Everton have come out on top at their former home in the past quarter of a century.

That last victory is arguably the most fiery Merseyside derby in Premier League history. In September 1999, Kevin Campbell scored the only goal in an encounter which saw three players sent off, as left-back Steve Staunton finished the game in goal after Sander Westerveld and Francis Jeffers were dismissed becoming embroiled in a punch-up.

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Didi Hamann made his Merseyside derby debut that day as Gerard Houllier boldly started the German, despite the fact he hadn’t played for seven weeks since rupturing his ankle ligaments when making his maiden appearance for the club on the opening day of the 1999/00 season.

In truth, such a decision was a gamble and one that didn’t particularly pay off. Replaced just after the hour-mark, Steven Gerrard came on in place of Hamann that day, only to be sent off in stoppage-time.

Looking back, Hamann concedes he should never have played against Everton 25 years ago, and only made his comeback that night because Houllier asked him to.

Meanwhile, for anyone expecting tales of a fiery dressing room inquest to rival the heated altercations on the pitch, the German revealed you would be sadly mistaken despite Liverpool suffering a disappointing defeat after finishing the match with nine men.

“I had just come back from injury and the ankle still wasn’t right,” Hamann, courtesy of Free Bets, exclusively told the ECHO. “I probably shouldn’t have played, but the manager wanted me to play.

“But yeah, I probably shouldn't have played. I was taken off early and Stevie came on.

“It was quiet in the dressing room afterwards. The manager was never one for saying a lot after games.

“Phil Thompson, sometimes he would lose his head but he would be reined in by Gerard Houllier. Gerard always said, ‘Talk about it tomorrow. It’s gone now, we can’t change it.’

“Obviously it was disappointing to lose that derby, but Everton were probably deserved winners. I was there a few years and don’t think I lost too many after that so I got the first one out of the way early!”

Hamann would win five of his ten Merseyside derbies during his seven years at Anfield, losing just twice. Meanwhile, he was part of the Reds side that won four successive clashes at Goodison Park.

While Klopp has only lost one of his 18 Merseyside derbies to date, Goodison victories have often eluded him in contrast to his compatriot.

Even if he were to win his final derby across Stanley Park on Wednesday night, it would be only his third win at Everton from his eighth visit. But with Liverpool needing maximum points to keep their fragile Premier League title-hopes alive, Hamann is confident his former side can get the result they crave.

“It takes resilience and cool heads,” he responded when asked what it takes to win at Goodison. “I think the games at Goodison are always a bit quicker than they are at Anfield because the atmosphere is really hostile.

“And the fact that Liverpool have been the more successful for a number of years. So yeah, you need resilience and cool heads.

“Everton are having a tough time at the moment but regardless of where they are in the league, it’s never an easy place to go. It’ll be the same on Wednesday night.

“But this team of Jurgen Klopp’s, they’ve got through so many difficult situations and adversities. Obviously they know they have to win.

“If they want to keep tabs with Man City, it probably helps if you win most games if not all the games. Even then, you’re not guaranteed to win the league.

“It’s a huge game but I’ve got faith after the game against Fulham. They played well. Also Palace, I didn’t think they actually did much wrong apart from scoring. On another day they probably would have got five or six. I’ve got every faith they get the result they need.”

Didi Hamann was speaking exclusively to the Liverpool ECHO courtesy of Free Bets