Sami Hyypia's delight at Champions League squad return for Liverpool FC
Feb 6 2009 David Prentice
SAMI HYYPIA has revealed his delight at being restored to Liverpool’s Champions League squad, but admitted he might have considered quitting the club during the January transfer window.
The former captain, who helped the Reds lift the European Cup in 2005, was devastated to be left out of Liverpool’s 25-man European squad in August.
UEFA rules limit the number of foreign players who can be named this season, and Hyypia was the man to suffer during the group stages.
But with the knockout stage now looming, Hyypia is back in contention and he said: “It’s fantastic to be back in the Champions League squad.
“The official squad list was sent to UEFA last Sunday and as normal the manager was considering the list until the last minute.
“On Sunday he told me that I was in the squad. It’s fantastic and I believe Liverpool can do well in the Champions League.”
But Hyypia, speaking on his Finnish blog, also revealed that he might have considered ending his 10-year association with the club in January.
“There were a lot of rumours and a few offers as well,” he explained. “Sunderland and Newcastle were mentioned in the press and were both really interested in signing me. Many other teams were interested too.
“Liverpool made it clear that they were not willing to sell me. That was it, although I might have considered another option.
“The club decide these things and of course a player can say he would like the club to listen to the offers if the player is unhappy, but if the club doesn’t want to sell there is not much a player can do. Liverpool didn’t want to sell me even though I might have considered another option.
“So I will spend the rest of the season in Liverpool. This is my 10th season and it is a great achievement. Liverpool is a big club where players come and go.
“Only a few players spend most of their careers in the same club nowadays and spending 10 years in a club where you have to fight for your place in the team every week and surviving the fight is something you learn to appreciate after you retire.
“I will consider my options again in the summer when my current contract with Liverpool expires.
“It’s too early to say what is going to happen then. It’s not my style to worry about these kind of things in advance. Now I will concentrate on helping my team to win trophies in a role the manager decides, whether it’s on the bench or on the pitch.”
Hyypia may well be involved at Portsmouth tomorrow, after Wednesday night’s extra-time left a number of players tired or carrying knocks.
Steven Gerrard will definitely be missing, after a scan yesterday revealed the Reds skipper has suffered a tear in the hamstring of his left leg and has been ruled out for three weeks.
He will also miss England’s friendly in Spain next Wednesday and the Premier League visit of Manchester City to Anfield on February 22.
He may also be a doubt for the Champions League first knockout round first leg in Madrid three days later.
Lucas Leiva’s red card on Wednesday means he will also miss tomorrow’s tea-time kick-off, while fellow midfielder Xabi Alonso will then be suspended from the City game after collecting his fifth yellow card of the domestic campaign against Chelsea last Sunday.
______________
Interesting quotes IMO, I never really thought he considered leaving us while still a regular, but perhaps he would have if not rafa stopped him...
I for one hope he stays on next season as well, considering he is showing no signs of getting worse - but perhaps that is down to him being spared half the games??
Feb 6 2009 David Prentice
SAMI HYYPIA has revealed his delight at being restored to Liverpool’s Champions League squad, but admitted he might have considered quitting the club during the January transfer window.
The former captain, who helped the Reds lift the European Cup in 2005, was devastated to be left out of Liverpool’s 25-man European squad in August.
UEFA rules limit the number of foreign players who can be named this season, and Hyypia was the man to suffer during the group stages.
But with the knockout stage now looming, Hyypia is back in contention and he said: “It’s fantastic to be back in the Champions League squad.
“The official squad list was sent to UEFA last Sunday and as normal the manager was considering the list until the last minute.
“On Sunday he told me that I was in the squad. It’s fantastic and I believe Liverpool can do well in the Champions League.”
But Hyypia, speaking on his Finnish blog, also revealed that he might have considered ending his 10-year association with the club in January.
“There were a lot of rumours and a few offers as well,” he explained. “Sunderland and Newcastle were mentioned in the press and were both really interested in signing me. Many other teams were interested too.
“Liverpool made it clear that they were not willing to sell me. That was it, although I might have considered another option.
“The club decide these things and of course a player can say he would like the club to listen to the offers if the player is unhappy, but if the club doesn’t want to sell there is not much a player can do. Liverpool didn’t want to sell me even though I might have considered another option.
“So I will spend the rest of the season in Liverpool. This is my 10th season and it is a great achievement. Liverpool is a big club where players come and go.
“Only a few players spend most of their careers in the same club nowadays and spending 10 years in a club where you have to fight for your place in the team every week and surviving the fight is something you learn to appreciate after you retire.
“I will consider my options again in the summer when my current contract with Liverpool expires.
“It’s too early to say what is going to happen then. It’s not my style to worry about these kind of things in advance. Now I will concentrate on helping my team to win trophies in a role the manager decides, whether it’s on the bench or on the pitch.”
Hyypia may well be involved at Portsmouth tomorrow, after Wednesday night’s extra-time left a number of players tired or carrying knocks.
Steven Gerrard will definitely be missing, after a scan yesterday revealed the Reds skipper has suffered a tear in the hamstring of his left leg and has been ruled out for three weeks.
He will also miss England’s friendly in Spain next Wednesday and the Premier League visit of Manchester City to Anfield on February 22.
He may also be a doubt for the Champions League first knockout round first leg in Madrid three days later.
Lucas Leiva’s red card on Wednesday means he will also miss tomorrow’s tea-time kick-off, while fellow midfielder Xabi Alonso will then be suspended from the City game after collecting his fifth yellow card of the domestic campaign against Chelsea last Sunday.
______________
Interesting quotes IMO, I never really thought he considered leaving us while still a regular, but perhaps he would have if not rafa stopped him...
I for one hope he stays on next season as well, considering he is showing no signs of getting worse - but perhaps that is down to him being spared half the games??
Comment