Rousing the Kop

‘Hardworking players’: Didi Hamann believes Liverpool have struggled since two players have left

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Last season’s champions will be looking to overturn this poor run of games tomorrow against Manchester United at Anfield, in a game which should be a brilliant return for the top-flight after an international break.When their performances have been analysed, numerous factors have been pointed to as to blame, including the defensive issues, new signings, and overall team balance.Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesDidi Hamann says Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were ‘hardworking’The recruits from the summer have been under the spotlight because some have not been able to adapt to the league as quickly as expected, with Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak taking the brunt of it due to their price tags.Didi Hamann believes that in the summer they have lost something, but not necessarily because of their incomings, instead their outgoings.READ MORE: Liverpool fans are obsessed over one ‘cold’ photo taken in training ahead of Man United clashThe German spoke to ESPN, where he explained that the exits of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez have had a bigger effect on the team than many would care to admit.Speaking on the broadcast, Hamann said: “In Diaz and in Nunez, they had hardworking players, and we’ve seen Diaz here (Bayern Munich). I don’t think he’s the most gifted player, but I think that’s also a reason that Bayern Munich’s doing so well, because he does a lot of the dirty work, a lot of the work nobody sees.“Now, last year they had these players, and for all his faults, Nunez would always, when he did play, create space, and occupy two or three defenders.”Diaz, now at Bayern Munich, is flourishing in his role, and his absence from this squad can be felt because of the lack of depth on the left wing.Nunez, of course, found himself going to Saudi Arabia to play for Al Hilal, and while he was not always the best for the Reds, Hamann is correct that he offered space for the forward line to have more freedom.Didi Hamann explains why Liverpool’s new signings are strugglingThese departures have had an impact on the players who have arrived, in the opinion of the 52-year-old.The former Red explained that they are not working because without the players to create the space or hold up the ball, it does not allow them to thrive.He said: “Now they’ve brought these guys in.



They want to play. They want to play with the ball.

They’ve been the top players in their clubs. They come here to play, but obviously somebody has to do the work.“And at the moment, it doesn’t seem to happen because they’ve got too many players who want to shine, but they don’t get the balls to shine because the team is not balanced, and they don’t have control of games.”This is indeed an issue for the signings, but they will get used to the style, with some already starting to get up to speed.