Hamann eyes silverware

Dietmar Hamann is eager to end Liverpool’s wait for the trophy that decides the world’s top club side.

The Reds played in two Toyota Cups in the 1980s and lost both, as well as turning down the chance to participate when they were European champions in 1977 and 1978.

Now the competition has been renamed the Club World Championship and enlarged to encompass six teams, not just the cream of South America and Europe.

Liverpool face Deportivo Saprissa from Costa Rica in the second semi-final in Yokohama today, for the right to tackle Sao Paulo in the final.

“We’re here to win the trophy and that’s the main thing,” said Hamann, 32, who has recovered from the horror tackle inflicted by Chelsea’s Michael Essien last week.

“For a successful club like Liverpool not to have won this before is unusual. The two times the team didn’t go, maybe they would have won it.

“So far we haven’t won it so it’s a good opportunity and big chance for us to do that and put that trophy on the plane home.”