Liverpool FC Forum

by **stmichael** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:12 pm

It was one of the best, if not the best signing that Gerard Houllier made for this football club. At the time, considering we had been linked with about 3564 centre backs during the summer off 1999, I'm sure a lot of Liverpool fans sighed in disappointment when a tall, thin Finn with bleached blonde hair walked through those famous Shankly Gates. When you consider that at the time there was a lot of talk about Sol Campbell possibly joining the club, the thought of signing a guy nobody had ever heard of or seen play was almost incomprehendable. I mean Willem II were hardly a force in European football so buying a guy from the Dutch League and expecting him to adapt to the Premiership was a huge risk. However looking back now, the signing was an inspiration and laid a backbone for the extremely successful couple of years the club experienced between 2000-2002. Despite some of the dross Houllier signed, signings such as Riise, Babbel, Mcallister, Barmby were also great for the club during the same period.

What followed was one of the best central defensive partnerships this club had seen for many years. Obviously, Hansen and Lawrenson stand alone, but for two successive seasons, Hyypia, along with his very able underrated partner Stephane Henchoz, helped Liverpool to have the best defensive record in the Premiership. Ok, at the time I think they were ordered to defend deep (due to their evident lack of pace) but over that period, clean sheets away at Manure, Barcelona (twice), Roma (twice) and Porto told it's own story. The fact that the defence picked itself and stayed injury free was also a bonus. Jamie Carragher played the majority of that spell at left back with Babbel on the right. People criticised our style of play but it was effective.

Infact, Houllier was so impressed with Sami that he eventually decided to make him Captain after the inevitable departure of Robbie Fowler to Leeds. Even looking back now, I don't think that Sami is really or ever was Captain material. He doesn't come across as being vocal enough, magnified even more by the fantastic coming of age of Jamie Carragher over the past couple of years. Despite the burden of the Captaincy (which should really be a fantastic pressure) it eventually had a detrimental effect on Sami and it unfortunately coincided with the gradual decline of the side.

Everyone remembers the 2002-2003 season when we made our best start to a League campaign in god knows how many years. We were well clear at the top and then went on a disastrous run when we didn't win a game for nearly three months. The defence couldn't keep a clean sheet for love nor money. Hyypia was dropped from the squad completely for the defeat at Sunderland (who only got 19 points in the entire season) and consequently when he came back his confidence was shot to pieces.

Ok, his reading of the game is still exemplary, but we really do have to be looking for a replacement for him next season if we want to move on. Who we get I really don't know. If I had to put money on it, I'd say that Rafa will bring in a centre half from La Liga to play alongside Jamie. Sami still has something to offer but he is on the decline, and struggles severely against anybody with good pace and movement. Infact pace at the back is something we have lacked for some time now and the issue needs to be addressed. Traore has improved this season but is nowhere near reliable enough. Whether the likes of Raven or Whitbread are ready for the step up is open to interpretation. For the remainder of this season, it appears that even Pellegrino has forged ahead of him in the pecking order (and has done a decent job whilst there). Is Benitez sending out a message? We'll soon find out.

Sami, you've been a great servant for this club, but I'm afraid your days may be numbered my friend, especially as a first team regular. I'm sorry to say it, but that's just the way it is.

Do you think he'll still be here next season?

YNWA

by **hawkmoon269** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:57 pm

Sami was a great buy for Liverpool - a rock in the middle of our defense. His defensive heading ability is second to none. But he is too slow now - he'll be 32 this year I think. What happens if Carra were to be injured - we'd be left with Sami and Pele in the middle of our defense.

I think at the close of this season Rafa needs to look for a young centre-half, to partner Carra, with either Sami or Pele as cover. He may also need to do it the following year, as Carra will be approaching the 30 year milestone and either Pele/Sami will be long passed it, and we don't want to be left where we are now, without any decent cover.

Time will tell!!

by **siti_zaiton1982** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:01 pm

Nah,i dun think so.The only reason he was left on the bench last sunday bcoz he suffered a stomach bug,i think.Tats' all.

by **jonnymac1979** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:48 pm

siti_zaiton1982 wrote:Nah,i dun think so.The only reason he was left on the bench last sunday bcoz he suffered a stomach bug,i think.Tats' all.

Tats?

by **stmichael** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:01 pm

hawkmoon269 wrote:I think at the close of this season Rafa needs to look for a young centre-half, to partner Carra, with either Sami or Pele as cover. He may also need to do it the following year, as Carra will be approaching the 30 year milestone

it's unbelievable that carra is 27 now. it only feels like yesterday since he was playing for england under 21s. :oh:

by **woof woof !** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:02 pm

stmichael wrote:Do you think he'll still be here next season?

Yes , but I'm not sure about the one after that .

by **jonnymac1979** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:10 pm

I still think we should keep him, he has enough experience. Just because he hasn't figured much lately doesn't necessarily mean he will never play for us again and he should be written off. He's still a top class defender.

Wasn't Barcelona after him only six months ago?

by **hawkmoon269** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:42 pm

jonnymac1979 wrote:I still think we should keep him, he has enough experience. Just because he hasn't figured much lately doesn't necessarily mean he will never play for us again and he should be written off. He's still a top class defender.

Wasn't Barcelona after him only six months ago?

But would be stay if he knew he would only be cover for someone new brought in over the summer?

by **Scottbot** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:19 pm

While Sami's time as absolute first choice may be coming to an end i think we would be stupid to let him go in the summer. The reasons being:

1- It really is a lottery bringing in a player from a foreign league. You never know if they are gonna be able to handle the long balls, the crosses and pace of the EPL.

2- Lets face it - we are unlikely to attract one of the top top tier centre-backs that might be available for the right money. Therefore we may end up with a player like Upson who, while effective has yet to really prove himself at the highest level. How many pacey CBs are out their who read the game or dominate in the air like Sami? (answers on a postcard)

3- Remember what it was like in the pre-Sami days? Crapp.ing yourself at every deadball or corner.

We desperately need another CB but i would certainly keep Sami on board for competition and cover.

by **the return of HAS** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:45 pm

I would definately like to Hyypia as cover for Carragher and the new centreback.

But I think a combination of the size of his wage plus Rafa's admartion for Pellegrino will mean that he leaves and Pelly stays.

by **A.B.** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:55 pm

1) While Pellegrino does have a six month contract with a possible one year extension, I don't think he will be Hyypia's replacement but it seems that Benitez rates Carra over Hyypia.
2) Benitez has himself said that there will be immense changes in the summer and I don't expect to see Hyypia stay with us.

He was ill and did not play against Blackburn but it also has been said that he said to the press that he and his team-mates don't understand Rafa's tactics, so that could be another reason why he hasn't started in the last two games.

It seems that Benitez will not put up with inconsistancy and poor mentality so players like Baros,Kewell and maybe now Hyypia could be all sold in the summer.

by **the return of HAS** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:14 pm

A.B. wrote:1) While Pellegrino does have a six month contract with a possible one year extension, I don't think he will be Hyypia's replacement but it seems that Benitez rates Carra over Hyypia.

I think that a new centre back will come in to play alongside Carragher and Pellegrino will stay as back up, and Hyypia leaving.

by **7_Kewell** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:05 am

i think Rafa knows by now who's going and who's staying.....he also knows that Liverpool are a team plauged with inconsistency and will get rid of the plays guilty of this also.

by **akumaface** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:47 am

I think Sami is still very valuable to our club and I do not see anyone in the EPL that is so superior in the air as him. He also read the play and position himself really well. I totally disagree with some saying his positioning is bad. He doesn't get out of position much. The majority of time when he was out of position was forced by a mistake or miss cover of a teammate. I understand he lack pace but to suggest he should be sold, I disagree. I think many EPL team is dying to have Sami as their first choice Centre back.

by **laza** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 8:47 am

He may no longer be in his prime but he still a valued asset and if anything is to be learnt from this injury riddled season is you hang onto your assets

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