I still call Dietmar Hamann by the ‘Kaiser’ nickname he was given at Liverpool, though in reality no foreign player slotted into the Anfield dressing room quicker.
He picked up the Scouse slang within weeks and was always up for a game of cards or a post-match drink. He was also more influential on the pitch to the younger English players than he probably realised.
While Gerard Houllier provided the right environment for the likes of Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher, Didi educated us during games, particularly midfielders like Steven Gerrard and myself.
He would signal when and where to receive the ball or anticipate danger and it’s only looking back that I understand how he developed our game.