I shouldn't have played in infamous Merseyside derby -It was my second Liverpool appearance and we finished with nine men
| Published date | 24 April 2024 |
| Publication title | Liverpool Echo: Web Edition Articles (England) |
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.
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...
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