Didi Hamann thinks an Irish international would be the perfect replacement for Steven Gerrard

We don't often see a player cross the Merseyside divide but Dietmar Hamann believes that his former side could do an awful lot worse than sign Everton's James McCarthy.

Speaking to SportsJOE at a special Carlsberg event at the weekend, the German revealed his belief that the Irish international could fill the boots of the departing Reds skipper Steven Gerrard. “I’ve always been a big fan of his. I think he’s done ever so well this season," he said. "Whether he’s a player Liverpool are interested in him remains but to be seen but in the centre midfield area...Joe Allen, Henderson, there’s a few players there.

"Somebody has to step up and perform at the highest every single week because obviously that’s what will be missing with Steven Gerrard gone,” Hamann added. Gerrard is off to LA Galaxy at the end of the current Premier League season and his place in Liverpool's history cannot be understated as a player like him only comes along "every 40-50 years" according to Hamann. Hamann, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, was also quick to claim that Liverpool's chances of a top-four place this season are not completely out of the question due to United's tendency to drop points under pressure. He said: “Now they’ve [Liverpool] put themselves back in with a shot and you just have to put as much pressure on it as you can. United seem to stutter at the wrong time and as I said I think if we win the last three games there is every chance we will finish fourth." If Liverpool do finish outside the Champions League places, pressure will likely mount on manager Brendan Rodgers and, even at the weekend, a plane was flown over Anfield with a banner reading “Rodgers Out - Rafa In," but Hamann claimed that that just comes with the territory.

Plane carriers 'Rodgers Out, Rafa In' banner over Anfield during Liverpool's clash with QPR http://t.co/yWnYY6zfDu pic.twitter.com/AMqtDGqMfX

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 2, 2015

“You got to get on with it," he said. "It’s part of the job if you manage a big club. Everybody expects success and that’s just the way it is." Carlsberg gave 20 Irish football fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to play #JOINTHEGREATS on Liverpool FC’s hallowed Anfield turf . Check it out on Carlsberg Football’s Facebook page facebook.com/carlsbergfootball