Meet the Germans painting Berlin Red

Hello Graham, first of all why don't you tell us a bit of background about the German supporters club...

Well, the German Reds Official LFC Supporters Club was formed immediately after the 2001 UEFA Cup final by Uwe Kaiser, Benny Gondro and Thomas Kunze. We used to have a staunch Liverpool supporter and Scouser by the name of Ray Latham on the committee but he had to resign due to work commitments earlier this year and I ended up taking his place. Ray lived and worked in Moenchengladbach for over 34 years and is as big a Red as you will find. As for the group, we became an official branch of Liverpool FC in 2003 and since then it has grown to boast a membership of over 150 members - and, of course, new members are always welcome. The present committee consists of chairman and website co-ordinator Uwe Kauser, finance director Thomas Kunze, committee and website co-ordinator Patrick Link and, of course, myself.

Why did you choose to support Liverpool?

I support the Reds because of the history and tradition of the club and the special bond between the supporters and the players and manager. It is quite unlike any other club in Europe.

Do you have a patron of the club and, if so, who is it?

German Reds chairman Uwe Kaiser.

What would you say is the best game you have ever been to?

It has to be the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul. We all know the score: AC Milan 3 Liverpool 3 with the Reds winning it on penalties. Sheer elation.

What does it mean to you and your members to have the club come over to Germany for pre-season?

I know from talking to both our chairman Uwe and finance director Thomas that they are both delighted and overjoyed to see their beloved Reds in Deutschland.

When do you plan to visit Anfield next?

The German Reds branch members - who come from all parts of Germany - are meeting in Liverpool for their first official branch meeting in the city and will be attending the home match versus Wigan Athletic in October. We will then follow it up by taking a tour of the Anfield stadium and the LFC Museum the following day.

How often do you meet?

Once a year there is an official branch meeting and this year we will meet for the first time ever in Liverpool. Next year we plan to meet in Dusseldorf. Each year the branch will meet in a different city due to the members being spread throughout Germany.

Who would you say is the biggest fan in the club?

That's hard to say. All the members are Liverpool fanatics, but if I had to pick one, I'd probably say Thomas Kunze, who has his own website dedicated to LFC. You can find out more at www.lfc4ever.de

Who did you vote for as player of the season for last year?

The vote for last season's player of the season is currently taking place and the winner will be announced in Liverpool on Saturday, October 18 at the official branch meeting.

Who would you pick out as your player to look out for in the 2008-09 season?

I'd have to go for Mascherano for his sheer consistency.

Where will we finish in the league?

This will be the year when Rafa brings home our 19th title.

Who is your favourite LFC player?

My favourite player has got to be Fernando Torres - world-class striker supreme and destined to become an Anfield legend.

What will it be like to watch the Reds playing in such a fantastic arena as the Olympiastadion?

It will be fantastic for all the German Reds members to see the Reds playing in Deutschland. It is, for all our members, the next best thing to watching Liverpool at Anfield in front of the Kop.

Will the fan club be attending the game?

Yes, the vast majority of the branch members of the German Reds will be at the match. There will also be a large contingent of Borussia Moenchengladbach supporters in the stadium supporting Liverpool FC. The Liverpool and Borussia friendship goes back over 30 years since the two clubs met in Rome in the 1977 European Cup final, and there are regular annual friendship visits by both sets of supporters to Liverpool and Gladbach each year.

And finally, what is your score prediction for tonight against Hertha Berlin?

The Reds to win it 2-0.