Premier League - Gerrard: Hyypia a legend

Eurosport - Sat, 23 May 09:34:00 2009

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has led the tributes to defender Sami Hyypia, who will leave the club after Sunday's final game of the season at home to Tottenham.

FOOTBALL 2009 Hyypia - 0

Hyypia, 35, will join Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year contract in the summer, ending a decade at Anfield.

Gerrard said: "It is difficult to put into words how we feel about Sami. He has been fantastic for us, a colossus.

"He certainly deserves legendary status and he is definitely one of the best players I have ever played alongside. That is the biggest compliment I can pay Sami."

Striker Dirk Kuyt said: "For me he is a top professional, one of the best I have ever met.

"Most importantly for me, Sami is also a good human being and has a good personality. I will miss him but I'm sure he will be in touch with us and Liverpool.

"It is a great achievement to play 10 years at a special club like Liverpool, especially for a foreign player, and I have a lot of respect for him.

"It's a shame he is leaving the club but things happen like this in football."

Assistant manager Sammy Lee hailed Hyypia's professional attitude and has tipped him to go into coaching once his playing days are over.

"Sami is a terrific professional, a fine player," said Lee. "Under that cool exterior there is a really emotional guy and he will certainly feel that on Sunday.

"We will too having worked with him for so long."

PA Sport

Comment 2 - 21 of 41

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  1. Sami Hypia is quite rightly being given hero status­ from Liverpool fans,as in my mind even in the last­ couple of years when he has came off the bench or­ started certain games he hasn't weakened the team­ one bit,even at 35. good luck to him .....from a wait­ for it............Man Utd Fan !!

    From neil g, on Sat 23 May 8:27PM

  2. Sami You have deservedly taken your place among­ Liverpool Legends and in the Hearts of All Liverpool­ Supporters.
    Thank you so much for all you have given­ us.

    Martin

    From Martin, on Sat 23 May 8:21PM

  3. Sami! you are great and LFC will never forget your­ impact in the history of football, I wish you best of­ luck in your entire endeavor..... hope to see you in­ Liverpool FC management board some other time.....­ thanks a lot Sami, the great defender of our time!!!!!

    From Knight, on Sat 23 May 8:01PM

  4. Sami! you are great and LFC will never forget your­ impact in the history of football, I wish you best of­ luck in your entire endeavor..... hope to see you in­ Liverpool FC management board some other time.....­ thanks a lot Sami, the great defender of our time!!!!!

    From Knight, on Sat 23 May 7:59PM

  5. Sami Hyypia is by far one of the best defenders this­ club has ever had. It was a privelage to have him here­ as a captain back in the days of Gerard Houllier and as­ a player in the days of Rafa. It will be a sad moment­ seeing our beloved Sami go, but I wish him all the best­ at Leverkusen. Hyypia, you are a true Liverpool legend­ and you will have a place in our hearts forever and­ always, hope that our paths meet again in the form of a­ coaching job when you are finally done with your­ football.
    YNWA

    From clivewilliamson, on Sat 23 May 7:49PM

  6. It's sad to see you go Sami - hopefully we'll­ get to see you play one last time tomorrow. Thank you­ for your wonderful and loyal service to LFC over the­ last ten years. Best wishes.

    From Susan M, on Sat 23 May 7:09PM

  7. sami-LAGEND one of LIVERPOOL PLAYER!!!
    we will miss u­ sami,,
    glad that u r play 4 diz club,,

    From faez_slumber25, on Sat 23 May 6:53PM

  8. Sami, Thank you for 10 years of loyal reliable service­ to our fantastic club. You are a legendary figure at­ Anfield and deservedly so. Thank you for everything. ­ How fitting would it be for Sami to score a bullet­ header in front of the kop tomorrow ? Fingers crossed.

    From Stuart, on Sat 23 May 6:32PM

  9. I am very sad that Hypia is leaving he has been one of­ the best that i have seen in liverpool u will always be­ remebered as a legend

    From Jamie, on Sat 23 May 6:30PM

  10. super pro from a super club

    From rawest1, on Sat 23 May 6:17PM

  11. Legend!!!

    From getorudi, on Sat 23 May 6:04PM

  12. A great defender and a legend .Its a shame he didnt­ come to the lane.
    SPURS FAN.

    GOOD LUCK SAMI

    From Stephen, on Sat 23 May 5:53PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I'm a Chelsea fan and I have nothing but respect­ for Sami. A great player and true professional.
    The one­ good thing to come out of that club.

    From robbo, on Sat 23 May 5:35PM

  14. Good luck sami, you will b missed at anfield, as u r­ one of the best defenders i have ever seen. A nd a­ perfect gentleman, good luck in what ever u do in the­ future,

    From luckyreddublin, on Sat 23 May 5:18PM

  15. ill do hope he can end his carear at liverpool...gl to­ u sami from man united fans

    From Addy N, on Sat 23 May 5:15PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I hope we do break into the top 4, but i think we will­ be lacking the funds again. Think LFC finishing 2nd is­ a really good thing for the kopites. I will always hope­ you never win the league (lol) but well done anyway on­ the 2nd place. NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM

    From Scouse.Brown, on Sat 23 May 5:14PM

  17. Hail KOP LEGEND SAMI HYPPIA. Thanks for the excellent­ service of 10 yrs. Remembering the days where u use to­ make funny and goofy faces to intimidate opposition in­ the penalty box when waiting for set pieces to come­ your way. Wish u success and come back to liverpool as­ coach

    From AsianFootie, on Sat 23 May 5:04PM

  18. Good luck sami you r a legend in my eyes, an prob­ everyone elses. all the very best.

    From john.rimmer9, on Sat 23 May 5:00PM

  19. Sami Hyypia, you are a legend :D
    An awesome defender,­ one of the most honest players I've seen
    Liverpool­ will miss you :D

    From Zahrah H, on Sat 23 May 4:50PM

  20. Sami - YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST DEFENDERS I HAVE EVER­ KNEW!!!!!!! He has contibuted A SIGNIFICANT AFFORT in­ all successes that LIVERPOOL had in the last 10 years.­ With hiw height, no one could take a ball in the second­ floor. HE IS A MAN, A MAN OF SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANCE NOT­ ONLY TO LIVERPOOL but to the WHOLE ENGLISH PRIMIER­ LEGUE.
    THANKS A LOT HYYPIA

    From muhsinjon, on Sat 23 May 4:41PM
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