Liverpool FC Forum

by **Rafa D** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:40 pm

Sami Hypia has been a great servant to this club for 6 to 7 years now, and probably the best buy for Liverpool Football club in the last decade.
His partnership with Stephane in the 00/01 season was the meanest in the Premiership, and his goalscoring record with his head for that season was also tremendous. He then had to develop a whole new partnership with Jamie Carragher and I think that this one is ever better than Sami and Stephane of 00/01. He and JC have played over 50 games together this season and were vital to our 10 game clean sheet record at the end of the year.

However great Sami has been for the club over the last 6-7 years, I think this is the last season we will see Sami being such a dominant force in our defence. He is a loyal servant and will always do his best, but next year I believe , his ageing legs , will give way and allow the emergence of Young Agger. Sami was always a bit slow but recently he has looked really tired and Agger is a lot fitter. Rafa would not spend £5.8m on a defender to sit on the bench and even though it will be sad, I believe Sami's last year here next year will mainly be looking from the bench.

Yours views.

by **dawson99** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:45 pm

If sami continues to play like he did yesterday then in all honesty he is far from retirement. the guy was immense and him and jamie c have such an understanding together its awesome to watch.
Ok the pace is gone but the head is there and its thanks to him that we have the best defense in the prem. I think next season he may not play as many games but judging by how hes been recently i cant see hmi ready to hang up his boots just yet

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:45 pm

I think its the right way to go. Earlier in the season there was an interview with Rafa regarding his signing of Agger, Rafa went on to say that he spoke to Hyypia about the situation and Hyypia was totally fine about the situation. This has shown in his performances, he has stepped up to the challenge and although he is becoming a shadow of his former self - he still has a lot to offer in the way of experience. Agger will do well to learn from him and I think Sami will look to mentor him in the coming seasons.

by **laza** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:46 pm

Im not so sure, Sami's ageing legs have had him written off in some quarters for the last couple of seasons and he has responded in the best possible way. Nothing like a young buck to arrive in the paddock to put some spring in the step of the old vet
It will certainly be interesting to see how quickly the transformation does happen

by **2520years** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:52 pm

I have no worries about playing Agger, but Hyppia isn't too old yet. I hate to say it but both Neverton CB's are old and they play well together. If you're good enough your old enough...and young enough!

by **dawson99** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:54 pm

on the bbc messageboard this arguament is going on. some are saying that if we had young fast defenders wed play more like arsenal and manure but others say that then wed lose our defensive record. Personally i reckon that for as long as hypia can do the job, let him do the job. Agger will have the best tutor available

by **laza** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:56 pm

dawson99 wrote:on the bbc messageboard this arguament is going on. some are saying that if we had young fast defenders wed play more like arsenal and manure but others say that then wed lose our defensive record. Personally i reckon that for as long as hypia can do the job, let him do the job. Agger will have the best tutor available

Personally i think we play more like Arsenal if we had Henry upfront rather then not having Sami at the back

by **Paul C** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:00 pm

Sami is still quality but it's the speed that worries me a little sometimes when he's the last man, but is a football player had a good footballing brain his positioning will make up for the lack of pace

by **HacksawJimDuggin** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:12 pm

Sami has been one of our best players this season and I can see him playing a major role next season and potentially/hopefully beyond. In my eyes he is one of the best centre halves there has been in the premiership. £2m for a player of that quality is a fantastic piece of business. Agger abd Palletta will learn lots from Sami and, although Sami will probably play less games next season, I believe that if he's fit enough he should play! His pace is not the best but if you watch him play he is very rarely exposed at the back due to the cover offered by JC and the full back's. By far and away the best defensive unit in the league.

by **HacksawJimDuggin** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:18 pm

Sami has been one of our best players this season and I can see him playing a major role next season and potentially/hopefully beyond. In my eyes he is one of the best centre halves there has been in the premiership. £2m for a player of that quality is a fantastic piece of business. Agger abd Palletta will learn lots from Sami and, although Sami will probably play less games next season, I believe that if he's fit enough he should play! His pace is not the best but if you watch him play he is very rarely exposed at the back due to the cover offered by JC and the full back's. By far and away the best defensive unit in the league.

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:24 pm

you can say that again

by **Flashard** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:52 pm

What a servent and in the future a valuble member of the squad. Agger will be JC main partner in the future i'm sure but what back up sami will provide. Still for me has another season in him as a first pick CH with JC but all depends on the progress Agger makes when he gets his chance.

by **The Ace1983** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:55 pm

Look at the likes of Teddy Sheringham, the entire Milan back line and Shearer, Cole, Southgate and Zidane. You're as old as you feel and there is no reason for sami to step down next season if his form doesn't dip. I think he has been the best centre half in the prem since he signed and has consistantly showed tremendous skill and commitment. If he is going to hang up his boots in the near future than fair enough, but I don't think he needs to.

Agger does look very promising, and may well be the answer to Sami's possible departure, but until Sami says "that's it", it's pointless talking about it.

by **Flashard** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:01 pm

The Ace1983 wrote:Look at the likes of Teddy Sheringham, the entire Milan back line and Shearer, Cole, Southgate and Zidane. You're as old as you feel and there is no reason for sami to step down next season if his form doesn't dip. I think he has been the best centre half in the prem since he signed and has consistantly showed tremendous skill and commitment. If he is going to hang up his boots in the near future than fair enough, but I don't think he needs to.

Agger does look very promising, and may well be the answer to Sami's possible departure, but until Sami says "that's it", it's pointless talking about it.

I could not agree more with the point made apart from with the increase in games and the big push for the holy grail. i.e EP,CL,FA,WC There will be an obvious chance for Agger to show on a bit more of a regular basis of what he is capable of and if he steps up to the mark as his potential seems to indicate i feel it maybe a natural progression that he may on youth and ability alone edge our beloved Sami out. Not however out the door just simply out of the first choice spot. Cannot see it happening straight away as Sami is a true proffesional but come maybe Chrimbo i feel we will be seeing more of Agger in PL games.

by **48-1119859832** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:02 pm

Hyypia's still a class act and for £2million that's an absolute bargain. However I've noticed Hyypia sticks his leg out to stop attacking players coming past and whilst it works it carries bookings and freekicks with it. And you have to wonder will he still be the same this time next season? Or will he detiorate?

Hyypia's career (30 odd) is soon to be drawing to a close, whilst Agger's career (20) is just beginning and you have to wonder how long the change will take from Hyypia to Agger. I suspect that Agger will take more of a role in the team whilst Hyypia will do a Hamann and sit back waiting to be called upon. I can't see Agger playing 30+ matches next season but on the same token I can't see Hyypia playing more than a bit-part player.

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