The big man's a legend!!!

[brezipool]

Former Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia has been named Player of the Year in Finland for the sixth time in just eight years.
Liverpool's big Finn, one of the most decorated players at the club, was the overwhelming choice of the judges in his homeland. While he was unable to pick up the award in person on Saturday night, the trophy was collected from national teams manager Roy Hodgson by Sami's father Jouko.

A full international since 1992, Hyypia first won the Finnish Player of the Year award in 1999 and then collected it again on three successive occasions between 2001 and 2003 and then again in 2005. Only former Kop favourite Jari Litmanen has won the award more times than Hyypia - nine compared to Sami's six.

The Porvoo-born central defender joined the Reds from Dutch side Willem II in 1999 and has amassed an impressive array of winners' medals since, including two FA Cups, the UEFA Cup and the Champions League.

Hyypia could yet be named Player of the Year by the Finnish journalists as well as the FA, having been honoured in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005. The winner will be announced in December.

[Shanks]

Legend, simple as.

[Tanghe the best]

One of the best defenders in the world imo. very underrated.

[kew-al]

sami gave some brilliant performances last season - totally deserved

reckon it will probably be his last though

[German_Dudek]

Yeah i read it to. Great moments. God of defense!

[brezipool]

I think he will keep playing for a few years yet. Maybe not every game. But he has again proved teh doubters wrong, he has been excellent this year again. so far!!

[Shanks]

Thats the thing mate, he had a bit of a shaky start, but then all the back four did, and he more than anyopne was obviously being singked out as he is getting on, but if anything, he has vcome back stronger than any of them and at the moment, deserves his place.

[EnZo]

SOLID as a ROCK. Hyypia = Legend.

[Shanks]

As someone said, for me, one of the best defenders in the world, and certainly the best I have seen with own eyes, in terms of when I have been fully able to appreciate the game.

He has it all, an absolute collosus, and as is continually said, an absolute Liverpool legend, who is rightly up there with the greats like Hughes, Yeats, Smith, Hansen and Lawrenson.

[brezipool]

He had been our best defender since hansen & lawerson.

And shanks your right, he was shaky at start of season, as you say the whole of the defence was, we got 2 injuries in first game. Has been an unlucky start to this season with injuries actually.

[EricVR4]

Hyypia really is just an absolute beast of a player. I love watching him every game just because of how intelligent he is, regardless of his lack of pace. He positions himself so well. That, and he's a collosus (like someone else said)....NOBODY can take him down. People will smash into him at full speed and then they fall down and he just stands there looking around like it was a mosquito or something. He did it against Reading I think (might have been the weekend before). Made me laugh.

[scottdc]

wonderful defender , inspires confidence in the back four and has made himself a legend at the club

[welshwizard]

Has done a tremendous job for Liverpool and hasn't had the praise he deserved over the years.

[Barcelinha]

Congrats to the man that made me cry back in 2001!!! without his all round pitch defending back then, who knows if i'd be here now.
solid as a rock. *sheds a tear*

[spen71]

I was thinking after the first few games of the season that his time has gone. I have been proved wrong and will admit it. Must be one of the bargains ever in the premiership at only £3 million.

[welshwizard]

I was thinking after the first few games of the season that his time has gone. I have been proved wrong and will admit it. Must be one of the bargains ever in the premiership at only £3 million.

He is a manager's dream. Top professional.

[scottdc]

He is a manager's dream. Top professional.

The way he dealt with losing the captaincy was fantastic , many footballers should take note and realise this is how you are supposed to react

[Leethered]

I don't read to much into this award, don't get me wrong I think Sami is a legend and one of Houlliers best signings. But can anyone name 10 decent Finish players.

[spen71]

I don't read to much into this award, don't get me wrong I think Sami is a legend and one of Houlliers best signings. But can anyone name 10 decent Finish players.

prob only 1 more. littamen

[German_Dudek]

Only Litmanen was better. But think it is not so dificult to be in finnland a great player.... the only thing you must do is play like skysports always like a rock ( solid rock) !

[Chaplain]

10 good finnish players? Hmm...

Jääskeläinen, Hyppiä, Litmanen, Teemu Taainio, Mikael Forssell........Shefki Kuqi...Jonatan Johansson who played for Rangers...those are all the ones I know :/ There's a guy who plays for PSV I think, Vääryneen or something, but I've barely seen him play, while I've seen a bit more from the others.

[faisal1982]

Great player, think he's lost too much pace now to be a guranteed starter, but last few years he's been faultless

[marklfc92]

hyypia is the bomb

[German_Dudek]

Other players then Hyypiä and Litmanen.... hmmmm Räikönen , Häkkinen, Hautamäki..... ohh man

[leeman]

one of my all time favorite players, and cetainly my favorite defender. he is a legend, a model professional and out of nowhere he seems to think hes a striker, too!

[brezipool]

His apprentice Agger is not too bad either.

Looks like we are sorted for his long term replacement no problems!

If agger stays with us for anything like the time and is as successful as Sammi, then we will be doing well.

[Shanks]

Great player, think he's lost too much pace now to be a guranteed starter, but last few years he's been faultless


Thats a bad misconception with Sami, he never had pace to start with.