| SAMI HYYPIA PROFILE
by Phil Matthews Date of Birth - 07/10/73
Nationality - Finnish
Position - Centre Back
Squad Number - 4
Cost - £2.6m
Club Hons (Lpool) - League Cup 2001, 2003; FA Cup 2001, 2006; UEFA Cup 2001; European Super Cup 2001, 2005; Champions League 2005;
Club Hons (Other) - Finnish Cup
Intnl Hons - Finland Caps
Other Clubs - Pallo-Peikot, Kumu, My-Pa Anjalankoskim Willem II |
Sami Hyppia was signed by Gerard Houllier in 1999. The defence that Houllier had inherited from Roy Evans had been guilty of some absolutely shambolic displays in the past and Houllier identified the defence as the first part which needed altering. Sami was signed from Eredivisie club Willem II for £2.6m and turned down the chance of Champions League football to sign for the club he supported as a boy. He has been practically an ever present since and is third choice captain for the club.
Hyppia started his career in his native Finland for Pallo-Peikot. His big break came when he signed for Veikkausliiga club MyPa in 1992, holding the door open for future Liverpool team-mate Jari Litmanen who was on his way to Ajax. In his time at MyPa, Hyppia won the Finnish Cup twice and got his first call up to the Finnish national team, or which he is currently vice captain and has attained an impressive 81 caps.
In 1995, Sami moved onto Dutch club Willem II where he formed an impressive partnership with Jaap Stam who went on to play for Manchester United and also played for Milan in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul. In his final season, Hyppia captained Willem II into the qualifying rounds of The Champions League for the first time.
In 1999 Liverpool came calling after one of our scouts spotted Sami whilst watching an opposition player. It's fair to say that not many supporters knew of Sami, but he was a colossus in his first season for Liverpool, forging a superb partnership alongside another new acquisition Stephane Henchoz. He displayed an aerial presence, composure, and ability to read the game that Liverpool's defence had been sadly lacking under Roy Evans.
His commanding presence on the pitch saw him promoted to captain alongside Robbie Fowler and he played a vital role in the 00/01 season's historic treble, sporting the armband for the UEFA Cup, Super Cup and FA Cup finals. In 2002, Sami was promoted to full time captain of the squad, a role which was sort lived and he surrendered the captain's armband to local boy Steven Gerrard.
Under Rafael Benitez, Sami was partnered with Jamie Carragher in the middle and formed as impressive a partnership as he had with Henchoz. Their partnership gave nothing away to opposing attackers and their impressive form together played a huge role in the success of 2005.
To date, Sami has nearly 400 appearances for Liverpool. He is currently 25th in the clubs all time appearances list and that looks set to continue as he is contracted to Liverpool until 2008. Although
he is criticised for his lack of pace on occasion, most Liverpool fans consider Sami to be one of the greatest defenders ever to have played for the club.
In his time at Liverpool, Sami has won The Champions League, The FA Cup twice, The UEFA Cup, The UEFA Super Cup twice, The League Cup twice and the Charity Shield.
