Reds have to be in Champions League, says Hamann
Former Liverpool midfielder says new signings can help club get back into Champions League
Dietmar Hamann has urged Liverpool to bounce back from last season's disappointment to make a charge for the top four.
Expectations at Anfield were high last term, following a 2013/2014 campaign in which they finished just two points adrift of eventual champions Manchester City.
However, they struggled and could finish only sixth, qualifying for the Europa League instead.
Speaking in Bangkok yesterday, the former Liverpool midfielder said: "They should mount a charge at the top four and get back into the Champions League, that's the main thing now.
"It's a lot of money involved. If you want the best players, you have to be in the Champions League. That should be the target."
The 41-year-old ex-Germany international also feels that the club have invested wisely during this transfer window.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has moved early, bringing in Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Danny Ings, Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez and Adam Bogdan.
Having used to play for Bayern Munich, he still keeps a close tab on the German Bundesliga, and is well aware of just what Firminho, who cost £29 million ($61.1m), is capable of.
Asked if Liverpool can finish among the Champions League places with the new signings they made, he said: "Probably, I like the signings. Hopefully, there are one or two more coming.
"The signings are very good...
"And yes, Firmino is a very good player. I hope he does well."
CLINIC
Hamann, former Liverpool striker Ian Rush, the academy's coaches and 40 Standard Chartered Thailand employees were at the Bangkok School for the Blind, where Liverpool yesterday conducted a football clinic and financial education workshop for visually impaired kids.
Said Lyn Kok, CEO and president (Thailand and Greater Mekong) of Standard Chartered Bank: "The Standard Chartered-Liverpool partnership is more than just sports. Liverpool are one of the world's best-known football clubs and they are an integral part of the bank's brand and marketing.
"I am really proud to work with Liverpool in delivering our commitment to be Here for Good in our local community.
"I am delighted to join the Liverpool FC Foundation and our employee volunteers today at the Bangkok School for the Blind, as we deliver a unique football clinic-cum-financial education workshop for the students."
Pool paint the town red
POWERFUL HEADER: Mamadou Sakho (second from near left) gives Liverpool a 2-0 lead just before half-time. - PHOTO: REUTERS
TRUE THAI ALL STARS 0
LIVERPOOL 4
(Lazar Markovic 3, Mamadou Sakho 42, Adam Lallana 52, Divock Origi 88)
Nothing could deter them - not the sweltering heat, not the traffic jam.
For Liverpool were in town.
And, for a day, Bangkok's eyes were on the Rajamangala Stadium.
Thousands, mostly decked in Liverpool jerseys, had already formed an intimidating queue to the only entrance to the stadium more than two hours before last night's kick-off.
The Reds, playing the first leg of their pre-season tour, were facing the True Thai All Stars: essentially Thai players based in Bangkok.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had promised a show - and they promptly gave one, beating their hosts 4-0 before 35,000 fans.
In the post-match conference, Rodgers said: "We are working to develop the team. Hopefully, we will go on and cope with the demands of the new season.
"I am very pleased with the work of our players...
"Divock (Origi) was excellent in the first half, especially his movement and his persistence.
"He missed a couple of chances, but kept going because he really wanted to score. I am very pleased for him."
It didn't take Liverpool long to get going.
Many fans had barely warmed their seats when Lazar Markovic opened the scoring in the third minute, rounding goalkeeper Warut Mekmusik before coolly slotting the ball home.
It would set the tone for the rest of the game.
LIGHTWEIGHT
That was despite Rodgers' starting line-up being relatively lightweight, containing the likes of Kolo Toure, Lucas Leiva, Rickie Lambert, Jordan Rossiter, Joao Teixeira and Danny Ings.
Still, they managed to add a second goal just before the interval, with Mamadou Sakho heading the ball powerfully into the net.
But the crowd were still enjoying the party in the carnival-like atmosphere and not even a storm, which began during the break, could dampen their spirits.
An entirely different Liverpool side turned up for the second period, one which looked more like a line-up Rodgers would deploy when the Premiership season begins next month.
It had Simon Mignolet in goal, Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren and Joe Maguire in defence, Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson in central midfield, and James Milner, Jordon Ibe, Adam Lallana and Origi doing most of the attacking.
Lallana made a quick impact, driving a grounder home seven minutes into the second period.
The final say belonged to Origi, who headed in his first goal in a Liverpool shirt to complete the 4-0 scoreline.
Liverpool's next stop of their pre-season tour is Australia, for which they left right after yesterday's match.
After playing Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United, they will head to Malaysia, then Finland.
Asked if the hectic pre-season schedule may backfire on them, Rodgers said: "We have supporters not just in England, but also all over the world.
"It is our duty to come and thank our supporters globally." - GARY LIM
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