Loved as a player, held in some suspicion as a pundit, Didi Hamann's relationship with Liverpool is scarcely straight-forward.
An instrumental member of the club's Champions League winning side of 2005, the German midfielder has hardly been reticent in voicing his concerns for the club's progress under his compatriot, Jurgen Klopp:
At some stage they have to win something again. Telling everyone we progress is one thing, but you need something to show for it.
During his seven-year spell with the Reds, Hamann claimed nine trophies in total; every cup that could be won, was won.
In 2001 season, Hamann was ever-present as Gerard Houllier's Liverpool claimed the League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and the Charity Shield. While a Liverpool player, Hamann would also feature for Germany in the 2002 World Cup final.
That Liverpool have only managed to win one trophy since Hamann's departure in 2006 does not sit well with the former Bayern Munich man. The blame, in so many, words rests with Klopp in Hamann's opinion:
I hope he can turn the corner, but if I look at results in the last few days, then I just wonder where the team and the club is going.
If a contract gets extended after losing two cup finals, what message does it send to the fans? It's one things getting to the final, but you have to take the opportunities.
In recent years Liverpool, when the chips are down, always find a way to lose.
Accusing Klopp of being able to "talk the talk", but so far failing "to produce results", Hamann remains sceptical that the German coach has what it takes to turn Liverpool back into a dominant force.
Often seen on the RTÉ panel now, Hamann is not alone in his skepticism surrounding Klopp; Eamon Dunphy is another notably down on the German's credentials for the job.
Didi Hamann was speaking to the Daily Mail.
