Mersey XIs: Didi Hamann's 2000s

So far this week we have seen sides from each of the decades since the 60s. Teams from Ian St John, Alan Kennedy, Gary Gillsepie and Jason McAteer have featured Evertonians such as Alan Ball, Ray Wilson, Bob Latchford and Duncan Ferguson.

We spoke to the Kaiser and asked him to assemble an unbeatable side of Reds and Blues from the 00s. Hamann arrived at Anfield from Newcastle in 1999 and instantly fell in love with Liverpool the club, the city and its people. Over the six years that followed, the talented holding midfielder became as famed for his style and composure on the pitch as for his wit and character off it. Here's his selection.

Pepe Reina

"Reina was and is a top, all-round goalkeeper," said Hamann. "He's a top-class stopper. I reckon he could be one of the best in the world in a couple of years time. His reflexes are great and he's a great character to have around the club."

Jamie Carragher

"Next up, I'm going to go for my mate Carra at full-back," explained Hamann. "He played there a lot when he was a young player and he made a good full-back. Because of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz, Jamie didn't play in the middle until Rafa took charge. He's been the life-blood of the club for many years now and he's the heart and soul of the club. So I'll go for him at full-back."

Sami Hyypia

"I think Sami Hyypia was just outstanding," said Hamann. "He was a great servant of the club and one of the best players to ever play for Liverpool. A truly brilliant defender. He could read the game so well, he was dominant in the air and he loved the club."

David Weir

"If Sami was a great servant for the Reds then Weir was the same for the Blues," said Hamann. "Weir was in fantastic form for a number of years and he was a very reliable captain for them. His experience brought a lot to that Everton side."

Leighton Baines

"Can I have Baines in there? Did he play long enough? I think he did," said Hamann after some thought. "And I think he's been a terrific player for them. One of the best full-backs in the league over the past few years. He has a great ability to beat players and fire in a top-quality cross."

Steven Gerrard

"Some of Stevie's best years came when he played out on the right-hand side," said Hamann. "Of course he was a great central midfielder and he could play in behind the striker as well, as he proved with Fernando Torres. He even played full-back in the European Cup final in 2005. What more can you say about Stevie? Just look at what he's done for this club throughout his career. Amazing."

Xabi Alonso

"I think most Reds fans know what a quality player Alonso was," said Hamann. "His range of passing and his technique was exceptional. The impact he had when he joined and in the seasons after that was there for all to see. Xabi could play the killer pass as well as the stunning 40-yard ball."

Tim Cahill

"I've got to get Cahill in there somewhere and so I've pushed Stevie out wide to slot him in," explained Hamann. "Cahill is a great player - a real handful. The number of goals he has scored for Everton since he arrived is phenomonal. He's got to go in there."

Luis Garcia

"I'm putting little Luis in because he scored some truly fantastic goals for the club during the time he was with us," said Hamann. "The goals he scored came in big and important games and he had that great ability to make something happen out of nothing."

Duncan Ferguson

"I'm going for Dunc because, on his day, he was one of the most difficult forwards to play against in the whole league," said Hamann. "He was just unplayable at times. He was physical, aggressive but he had a great touch as well. He scored some great goals for the Blues and their supporters loved his passion."

Michael Owen

"I've got to put Michael in there," said Didi. "When he was at his best he was definitely one of the finest strikers in the world. His ability to finish was second to none. He was deadly."