Sami Hyypia vows: I’m here to stay
Aug 29 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
SAMI HYYPIA today warned any admirers they were wasting their time trying to tempt him from Liverpool before the transfer deadline – as he vowed to keep filling the defensive void vacated by Jamie Carragher.
Despite committing his future to the Reds during the summer, Fulham and Newcastle have been consistently trying to recruit the popular Finn.
Liverpool’s lack of central defensive cover, underlined by Carragher’s injury, has made such sale a non-starter.
And as Hyypia regained the skipper’s armband in the absence of Steven Gerrard in last night’s 4-0 rout against Toulouse, he again made it clear his mind was made up to stay at Anfield for as long as he’s part of Benitez’s plans.
“I’ll always be ready whenever I get the shout to play,” said Hyypia. “So far, I’m okay with this situation. I know I’ll get to play a lot of games. When I get the chance to play, I’ll show what I can do.
“There were stories in the newspapers about some clubs, but I’d already spoken to the boss after Athens last season and he told me he didn’t want to sell me. For me, that was what I wanted to hear.”
Hyypia and Daniel Agger will be needed again against Derby this weekend, and they’ll be hoping to build on a clean sheet against the French side.
“It was a good performance and we did a professional job,” said Hyypia.
“It felt good to put the captain’s armband on again. I don’t like the way it’s come about of course, because I don’t want to see Stevie and Carra injured, but I’m always very proud to be captain of Liverpool.
“We’re happy with the clean sheet. It gives Daniel and I confidence going into the next game because we know Carra will still be out. Hopefully he’ll be fit after the international break. Now we’re just happy to be in the draw and we’ll take whatever comes our way.”
First goalscorer Peter Crouch was especially pleased as he fights for a place against Derby County this weekend.
Crouch may have slipped in the pecking order, but he remains as crucial to Liverpool’s success now as he was when he was the only decent forward at the club two years ago.
He reminded the manager and everyone else of his talents with a well-taken goal, and could have made the point even louder with a hat-trick but for a couple of wayward headers.
“It was a good night's work because it was very important we got through to the group stages. It was a good team performance and on a personal level it's good to get that first goal of the season," said Crouch.
Aug 29 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
SAMI HYYPIA today warned any admirers they were wasting their time trying to tempt him from Liverpool before the transfer deadline – as he vowed to keep filling the defensive void vacated by Jamie Carragher.
Despite committing his future to the Reds during the summer, Fulham and Newcastle have been consistently trying to recruit the popular Finn.
Liverpool’s lack of central defensive cover, underlined by Carragher’s injury, has made such sale a non-starter.
And as Hyypia regained the skipper’s armband in the absence of Steven Gerrard in last night’s 4-0 rout against Toulouse, he again made it clear his mind was made up to stay at Anfield for as long as he’s part of Benitez’s plans.
“I’ll always be ready whenever I get the shout to play,” said Hyypia. “So far, I’m okay with this situation. I know I’ll get to play a lot of games. When I get the chance to play, I’ll show what I can do.
“There were stories in the newspapers about some clubs, but I’d already spoken to the boss after Athens last season and he told me he didn’t want to sell me. For me, that was what I wanted to hear.”
Hyypia and Daniel Agger will be needed again against Derby this weekend, and they’ll be hoping to build on a clean sheet against the French side.
“It was a good performance and we did a professional job,” said Hyypia.
“It felt good to put the captain’s armband on again. I don’t like the way it’s come about of course, because I don’t want to see Stevie and Carra injured, but I’m always very proud to be captain of Liverpool.
“We’re happy with the clean sheet. It gives Daniel and I confidence going into the next game because we know Carra will still be out. Hopefully he’ll be fit after the international break. Now we’re just happy to be in the draw and we’ll take whatever comes our way.”
First goalscorer Peter Crouch was especially pleased as he fights for a place against Derby County this weekend.
Crouch may have slipped in the pecking order, but he remains as crucial to Liverpool’s success now as he was when he was the only decent forward at the club two years ago.
He reminded the manager and everyone else of his talents with a well-taken goal, and could have made the point even louder with a hat-trick but for a couple of wayward headers.
“It was a good night's work because it was very important we got through to the group stages. It was a good team performance and on a personal level it's good to get that first goal of the season," said Crouch.
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