Hamann hoping to hit form

The 30-year-old former Bayern Munich man has proved a hugely underrated calming influence alongside the tenacious Steven Gerrard in recent seasons and he is eager to hit top form as he approaches the final year of his Liverpool contract.

Hamann said: "Hopefully I will find some good form for the start of the season and carry that through the rest of it.

"I'm not sure I have anything to prove. You always want to help the team as best you can and I will be doing that again this season.

"This will be my sixth year at Liverpool and I have never doubted that I made the right decision coming here when I did."