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Liverpool legend Didi Hamann believes the Anfield club will bounce back from a disappointing season - but insists former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett set the club back by "five years".

The ex-Reds' midfielder was speaking on the 10th anniversary of the club's historic Champions League win on May 25, 2005.

But his former side's gutless 6-1 defeat against Stoke - their heaviest defeat in 52 years - was anything but the determined slog that night against AC Milan.

Even though the futures of under-fire Brendan Rodgers and despondent Raheem Sterling hang in the balance, Hamann believes Reds' fans should be positive about next season.

He said: "It's obviously been a disappointing season for fans to watch, but the good thing is, Liverpool are in Europe and now they need to see which players they want to keep to move the club forward.

"Fans are a bit downbeat at the moment but I'm confident Liverpool will bounce back from this season and give the fans something to cheer about."

That night in Istanbul in pics:

Hamann is widely credited with changing the game that night in Istanbul, after coming on 3-0 down at half-time to shackle menacing Kaka.

His captain that day, Steven Gerrard, is departing the club after a glittering 17-year career and Der Kaiser believes it's the right decision for both player and club.

He added: "Gerrard has had a fantastic career, I think it's the right decision for both parties, he didn't play every game this season and he'd probably play even less next season.

"I think at this level, whether it be in the Premier League or America, he can certainly play for another 2 years and probably even more."

(Image: Getty)

Two years after that night in Istanbul, Liverpool went on to finish runners-up in the competition, before having a good go at the league title in 2009.

Apart from last season's Suarez-inspired heroics, the club has failed to reach the heights of Rafa Benitez's reign.

Didi attributes the club's downward spiral to the former owners, Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

He said: "I think there were tough times with Gillett and Hicks and they set the club back a good five years.

"Up until then, things were going well with Rafa in charge, they got to another Champions League final and had a good go at the league.

"But I'm confident that Liverpool's supporters can help them get back where they were.

"The fans are very vocal and loyal and they played a big part of it on that night 10 years ago, they kept singing and I don't think it would've happened at any other club."

Didi Hamann will be joining Liverpool's heroes from the Istanbul final for a reunion on Monday, May 25, at the city's Echo Arena.

If you can't make it in the flesh, then you can watch a live stream of the show.