Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has contradicted the views of the club's owner by revealing he plans to give Dietmar Hamann a new contract.

It appeared he may he have been seeing out the final months at Eastlands though when owner Thaksin Shinawatra labelled the former Liverpool man 'too old', revealing it was one of two areas City were looking to improve.

Eriksson has a different idea though, insisting the European Cup winner is a crucial part of his team.

"He organises everything out there," Eriksson was quoted as saying on the official Liverpool website ahead of Sunday's clash.

"I have been positively surprised how he has kept playing well all season. He is very important to us and has run up and down the pitch, too, winning a lot of possession.

"I suppose his agent will soon knock on the door with regards to next season and I will always open it. We will see what happens, but if he goes on like he has been then he is important to us.

"He is a great, calming influence. Didi is a maestro in his position."