Amo!
Regarding Hamann, I disagree that you say that Hamann is not contributing to the attack and he is terrific at defending deep.
ok so Hamann is terrific at defending deep but he is also great at going foreward. Dun let Houllier tactics fool you. His tactics will make Smicer turn from a dribbler and creative playmaker to a useless ball chaser. Can U imagine Pires playing in our system? He will chase balls all day long.
Ok back to Hamann. I remembered him bring to lively in his days at Ruud Gullit's Newcastle. His long legs create panic in the opposition defences with his striding runs, no one seemed to know how to knock him off the ball. Then again Hamann had contributed to 8 goals (Not too sure about the figure) that season.
In Liverpool, he sits so deep that he is often mistaken as the 3rd centre back. But look at the matches against say Birmingham and Gala. When Hamann moves out of his defensive duties and really dictate the midfield. His trust is lethal. He is unlucky though, hit the post against the Brummie and forced a hattrick of saves by Mondragon. Then again, Hamann pinpoint quick passing helps in releasing the faster players like Owen and Riise to attack more effectively. In fact he set up 3-4 of Owen goals through his through balls.
Regarding Duff, I would love to get him. He is talented and he rocks against the Saints, but I am not sure if Houllier wants to dispense with Berger. Partick is somewhat of the gaffer's favourite, and it would be interesting to see him in the Reds next season.
I agree Murphy should play less, ok he scores goals and passes well, but his ball control is still absymal. If he wants to improve he got to work on it. His crosses is lethal in deadball sitautions, but how many times had he sent crosses during open play? He gets the ball and usually lose control of it. Most of his good passes are first time passes, crosses are seldom hit first time, and he needs a fair deal of ball control to take the pass the measure the cross.
Hamann is the most important player in Liverpool this season. He will florish regardless of team approach, such is his all round ability.