Hyypia To Sign New Contract This Weekend

[Bender]

Sami Hyypia looks set to sign a new contract this weekend to keep him at Anfield beyond the summer.
The veteran defender's current deal runs out at the end of the season, but Rafa Benitez today spoke of his confidence that talks on an extension would be concluded this week.

He said: "Rick Parry is due to talk to Sami's agent this weekend and hopefully everything will then be finished."

The extension means Hyypia will join a select band of Reds who've spent more than a decade at the club, with the Finn arriving under Gerard Houllier back in 1999.

The 34-year-old has made no secret of his desire to remain on Merseyside.

Earlier this year, he said: "It would be very nice to get to 10 years at the club but I'm just concentrating on playing well.

"Whether I stay wouldn't depend on how many games I play. I'm not like that. I'm not interested in somebody promising me something.

"If we have four centre backs then everyone fights for their place and performances should determine who plays.

"If I keep playing well then it'll be difficult for the manager to change things."

Hyypia was a key part of the 2001 treble-winning campaign, proving to be a rock at the back alongside Stephane Henchoz.

He was one of the stand-out performers on the road to Champions League glory in Istanbul, scoring a cool volley which proved crucial in the quarter-final defeat of Juventus.

The defender has already notched up 37 appearances this season despite turning 34 last October, and is considered by many a contender for Liverpool's player of the season.

[bobbyfallon]

Sami Hyypia looks set to sign a new contract this weekend to keep him at Anfield beyond the summer.
The veteran defender's current deal runs out at the end of the season, but Rafa Benitez today spoke of his confidence that talks on an extension would be concluded this week.

He said: "Rick Parry is due to talk to Sami's agent this weekend and hopefully everything will then be finished."

The extension means Hyypia will join a select band of Reds who've spent more than a decade at the club, with the Finn arriving under Gerard Houllier back in 1999.

The 34-year-old has made no secret of his desire to remain on Merseyside.

Earlier this year, he said: "It would be very nice to get to 10 years at the club but I'm just concentrating on playing well.

"Whether I stay wouldn't depend on how many games I play. I'm not like that. I'm not interested in somebody promising me something.

"If we have four centre backs then everyone fights for their place and performances should determine who plays.

"If I keep playing well then it'll be difficult for the manager to change things."

Hyypia was a key part of the 2001 treble-winning campaign, proving to be a rock at the back alongside Stephane Henchoz.

He was one of the stand-out performers on the road to Champions League glory in Istanbul, scoring a cool volley which proved crucial in the quarter-final defeat of Juventus.

The defender has already notched up 37 appearances this season despite turning 34 last October, and is considered by many a contender for Liverpool's player of the season.

wish more players would think like that

even if he plays **** all he should be kept on even after next year to help the younger lads coming through

[NICKZS]

I don't think anybody expected him to be so good this season.

[The Birdman]

Legend although in the nicest way I hope he doesn't play much next year.
Think this means another year on loan for Jack Hobbs

[Big Dave]

No more than the big man deserves, lets hope he gets the final medal for his collection

[carheex]

Player of the season??? jeebus, i don't think so!
Him getting a new contract only underlines how poor our "next generation" of defenders really are.

[NICKZS]

Player of the season??? jeebus, i don't think so!
Him getting a new contract only underlines how poor our "next generation" of defenders really are.

Bizarre.

[Tee]

A giant.... a friggin' giant. Love you Sami.

[Kenneth]

He's my hero. I love him.

[red g]

Player of the season??? jeebus, i don't think so!
Him getting a new contract only underlines how poor our "next generation" of defenders really are.

yeh see what u mean , its not as if he has anything to teach the next genearation

[peekay]

One of the all time greats.

The way he carried on after loosing his captaincy to Gerrard is professionalism of the highest order. I cannot even see Carragher or any of our local lads in the past displaying such a sense of professionalism.

Quality, class personified

[dww]

wish more players would think like that

even if he plays **** all he should be kept on even after next year to help the younger lads coming through

I largely agree but it has to be easier to feel that way at the tail end of your career.

[carheex]

yeh see what u mean , its not as if he has anything to teach the next genearation

you can all you want - a once great player does not necessarily make a great coach. In fact rarely do they make great coaches. If the ones supposedly coming through haven't learnt enough from him yet then they're unlikely to gain much more by watching him struggle in his twilight years.

[-V-]

I think Sami would make a brilliant defensive coach.

The reason is because of his experience and intelligence. He's loyal, passionate and gets on great with the lads. Everybody loves him

He would make a superb coach

[dww]

I think there are two separate possible roles Sami could play - either as a coach or as a mentor figure which could possibly aid young players. He is also a useful stand in who knows the way our defense works which as both Skrtel and Agger have shown to varying degrees can be a bit of a learning curve for incoming players.