Liverpool FC Forum

by **JC_81** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:26 pm

In the midst of all the doom and gloom surrounding Benitez's supposed fragile position at the club, I thought I'd change the subject and talk about something else.

For the last season or two, people have constantly brought up the subject of the big Sami being past it. In the summer some thought it essential that we brought in back-up for Agger/Carra as Sami was no longer up to it. Some thought Heinze was the answer to this supposed problem. Then again when Agger got injured, the subject came up again, 'how would we cope without Agger', 'we've only got Hyypia to cover', 'he'll struggle to play consecutive games at his age' were common quotes on the forum.

What do you all think now?

IMO he's been fantastic, and to be honest I don't think we've missed Agger. Hyypia's positional play, timing and aerial ability are still up there with the best. We all know he's slow, but he always has been, and his distribution of the ball was never great, but apart from that I think our defence has been as strong as ever. And rather than tire as he's played more consecutive games, he's actually got better as he's had a chance to once again form a formidable partnership with Carra at the back.

Don't get me wrong, over the course of the season there are games when having Hyypia will hinder you, such as games where you want to be on the front foot and hold a high defensive line, but aren't able to as Hyypia's lack of pace doesn't allow for it. That's always been the case though, and it's why he was so good in Houllier's system where we defended on our 18 yard line. Defender's never got behind him and there's no better defender when the play's in front of him than Hyypia imo.

Who knows how long he will be around, but I hope fans still appreciate what a good player he has been for us over the years, and in fact what a good player he still is when called upon.

(And before any smart @rse mentions the first goal conceded at Besiktas, the one that deflected off Hyypia to their striker and then deflected off him again on it's way into the net, it was Finnan's fault for not clearing his lines in the first place!)

by **Leonmc0708** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:32 pm

He has proven he retains his ability, and he has reminded me and many others of his undoubted quality, however his loss of pace will prove a problem against better teams.

I personally wrote him off, and I take that back, but Newcastle, Fulham and Beskitas (at home) mustered approx 3 attacks between them in the htree games.

Against Torres for example, Sami would be found wanting.

by **JC_81** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:43 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:He has proven he retains his ability, and he has reminded me and many others of his undoubted quality, however his loss of pace will prove a problem against better teams.

I personally wrote him off, and I take that back, but Newcastle, Fulham and Beskitas (at home) mustered approx 3 attacks between them in the htree games.

Against Torres for example, Sami would be found wanting.

Fair enough. To be honest though, in relation to Torres I think that every defender who has faced him this season has been found wanting at times, with the exception of Arsenal when he clearly wasn't fit.

I was going to go on and say that although we've had relatively easy games recently, Hyypia has done well against Arsenal and Everton in big games too recently, then I remembered his rocket of a goal in the derby :laugh:

He always did have an eye for a goal

by **Perry Digweed** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:32 pm

To most fans of other teams the fact that Hyypia lost his place in the first place was something of a mystery. He seemed such a vital cog in a good Liverpool team one minute, and then no longer picked the next. Maybe he was left out for too long?

by **Pineapple Nutty** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:53 pm

hyppia is kinda lacking potential

by **Bad Bob** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:43 pm

I've actually been quite pleased with Sami and the way he's just gotten on with things after the low point with the own goals. He looked like he was rapidly tiring with the workload of two games a week but he now seems to be back to his consistent, reliable self (Carra too).

That said, I watched Gallas come forward yesterday with the ball at his feet, deliver a pass and then get into the box, ending the move with a sublime header to give Arsenal a win against a tenacious Wigan side. I couldn't help but think that we could do with a central defender who can get into the opposition's box and score from open play from time to time. I don't think that kind of attacking from the back is in Rafa's comfort zone but it does make you wonder how strong we'd be if we had a CB like that.

by **mart** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:48 pm

Perry Digweed wrote:To most fans of other teams the fact that Hyypia lost his place in the first place was something of a mystery. He seemed such a vital cog in a good Liverpool team one minute, and then no longer picked the next. Maybe he was left out for too long?

Yes he probably needed some matches to get going again. And while i think he is still very good, he isnt the future of the club. Agger is. But if Sami accepts beeing a squad player i think he should be given another year.

by **Pedro Maradona** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:10 am

sami is a liverpool legend and should be respected as such.....

by **Dundalk** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 3:06 am

Pineapple Nutty wrote:hyppia is kinda lacking potential

What.....?

Lacking potential? Isnt that at the start of your career??

I hope this is lost in translation. :upside:

by **Kharhaz** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 3:42 am

Never doubted the guy... never will. Legend.

by **NJD83** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:36 am

Quote (Pineapple Nutty @ Nov. 25 2007,14:53)
hyppia is kinda lacking potential

What? he is not an up and coming center back, he has had a great decade playing at the top level, he has never had great pace but his positioning has allways been fantastic, I think he is now slowley loosing that!!!

Time maybe to blood one of our kids for Aggers long term partner I think.

by **bunglemark2** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:46 am

Hyypia is past it. Too slow.
I wouldn't get rid of him if he wants to stay though. Give him a job with the youngsters or the reserve team. Let him teach all he has learnt.

by **stmichael** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:57 pm

Has anyone mentioned Hyypia's flick for the second goal the other day? I thought it was quality. He may not have pace but he makes up for it due to his reading of the game.

It would have been lunacy to ship him off to Fulham for the £1m quoted during the summer.

by **woof woof !** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 1:13 pm

Recent games he's proved again what a class player he is , his positioning and reading of the game is top notch but as others have mentioned his lack of pace against quick intelligent players will sometimes leave him found out.

by **Ace Ventura** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 1:17 pm

Bad Bob wrote:I've actually been quite pleased with Sami and the way he's just gotten on with things after the low point with the own goals. He looked like he was rapidly tiring with the workload of two games a week but he now seems to be back to his consistent, reliable self (Carra too).

That said, I watched Gallas come forward yesterday with the ball at his feet, deliver a pass and then get into the box, ending the move with a sublime header to give Arsenal a win against a tenacious Wigan side. I couldn't help but think that we could do with a central defender who can get into the opposition's box and score from open play from time to time. I don't think that kind of attacking from the back is in Rafa's comfort zone but it does make you wonder how strong we'd be if we had a CB like that.

To be fair though Bob i dont think there is any other centre back in the league that would of done that, or that would have the freedom to do it as well.
Gallas has the footballing ability of a midfield player and due to Arsenals system where players turn up all over the place he is allowed to roam and support the attack.
It wouldnt work in most sides though.

On the subject of Hyypia i think he is still a very useful player against certain types of player or certain teams.
But as some have said his weaknesses can be easily exposed against better players and it will always be a gamble playing him against direct players that have a bit of a trick and a bit of pace. But to be fair to Sami he has been great in Aggers absence.

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