On the 4th of Christmas…
Number 4
Sami Hyypia
Sami Hyypia came to Liverpool in the summer of 1999 from Dutch side Willem II, one of Gerard Houllier’s signings in order to shore up the defence to play alongside another new signing Stephane Henchoz. “Sami who?” many people asked. Finnish footballers werent well known in the European Leagues at the time. However Sami Hyypia took to the Premiership like a duck to water, becoming many fans’ player of the season in his first season, and earning comparisons to Alan Hansen. He also was trusted enough to take the captaincy when both captain and vice captain Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Fowler were injured. If his first season was good, his second got better. Liverpool played 63 games in total that season, with Sami playing 62 of that 63. Amazingly for a defender, he went an entire season without a single booking, a run that from the previous season, spanned a whopping 87 matches without a booking, in a season where he played an instrumental part in Liverpool’s UEFA, FA and Carling Cup victories and helped them qualify for the Champions League.
The following season, he was instrumental in leading Liverpool to second place in the League, where they were very unlucky to finish behind a phenomenal Arsenal side. This led to high hopes for the following season but many players looked jaded and the team as a whole slumped. Sami did enjoy lifting one trophy as he captained the Reds to a Worthington Cup win over Manchester United, but it was a season to forget for most Reds fans. Sami also blemished his impeccable disciplinary record when he was rather harshly red carded against Manchester United, setting the tone for a miserable 4-0 defeat.
At the start of the 2003/04 season, Sami’s form hit a slight slump and he was replaced as captain by Steven Gerrard, Sami became vice captain, though, being a true professional, accepted this and got on with his game, helping the team reach 4th place and qualify for the Champions League
Sami returned at the beginning of the next season to a new manager as Rafael Benitez came to Anfield. The famed Henchoz-Hyypia partnership was also no more as Jamie Carragher partnered Sami in central defence. Sami’s positon came under threat in January as Rafa signed Mauricio Pellegrino from Valencia. Benitez tactic became a masterstroke however as Sami was rested in domestic games but was then able to play a significant role in Liverpool’s run to Istanbul and while not too much at fault for Milan’s goals in the first half, the big Finn, along with his indomitable partner played an integral part in keeping Crespo and Shevchenko at bay as Liverpool overcame all odds and became Champions of Europe for the 5th time.
The following season, despite beginning the season in July, Sami Hyypia kept going and although one of the older players on the side and despite having played more games than anyone else that season, he was still one of the few players still standing at the end of Liverpool’s FA Cup victory over West Ham.
In his home country of Finland, Sami is very highly regarded by Finnish fans, winning the Finnish footballer of the year award on many occasions(almost enjoying virtually a duopoly with Jari Litmanen) and is helping Finland on their campaign to try and reach a major tournament
Back at Liverpool, his position has come under threat somewhat, due tot he emergence of up and coming Dane, Daniel Agger.
However Sami, after 7 years at the club, still remains as superb a reader of the game as ever, keeps himself in impeccable fitness and has no pace to lose. It would be fitting to see him retire as a Liverpool player and he will surely go down as one of Liverpool’s greats.
We salute you Sami
