Hamann said: "Ninth position is just not right. We now have to make sure we get the right results in the league because where we are at the moment is just not good enough.
"We have to make sure we climb up the table. We are only four points off fourth place and that must be our aim. We are probably too far behind the top three now, it is hard to expect us to make up 10 or more points to get back to that level.
"But we have to make sure we are in the Champions League next season, however it comes. Maybe there is only one place up for grabs so we have to make sure in the run-up to Christmas that we get the right results to put us back in contention to save our season.
"When you are ninth you know there are more than a few other clubs thinking the same way, there is always a couple of surprise teams and maybe someone like Charlton will stay up there.
"But if we play the way we can play and get the right results it does not matter who is up there, we will finish in the top four. We now have a gap to concentrate on the league and there will be another buzz waiting for us when the competition starts up again at the end of February.
"It does not matter who we get next, I know the Champions League sides are now coming into the competition, but we did it the hard way a couple of seasons ago to win the trophy. If you want to win it you have to be able to beat the best, we did it before and we can do it again.
The return of Haman's calming influence will, of course, allow Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to thrive in a more attacking role afforded to him by the teutonic efficiency of his returning team-mate.
Hamann added: "I was very happy to be back for my first game of the season. I have been in training for a few weeks, so it was not too bad for my first game for so many months.
"It is not easy to be in the best shape when you have been out for such a long time. I am now back to play the position that Stevie [Gerrard] has had to fill, and I know that my job is to make sure we keep clean sheets so we can get results. So whatever style we play I know what role I must fill."