LFC PLAYER OF THE SEASON: NO.5
James Carroll 01 June 2009
Thousands of votes have been counted and we can now reveal that the player you judged fifth in our LFC Player of the Season poll was Sami Hyypia.
The big Finn made a total of 19 appearances for the Reds in his farewell season at Anfield.
Despite his age, the 35-year-old proved he'd lost none of the old defensive magic when called upon by Rafa Benitez this campaign - and his performances earned him three per cent of your vote.
He notched up his 450th appearance in the famous Red jersey as a substitute when Liverpool ended Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home record with a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in October.
The evergreen centre-back then scored his 35th career goal for the Reds with a trademark thumping header in the 5-1 rout against Newcastle United at St James' Park in December.
However, Sami's finest performance of the season came in another comprehensive away victory. The Finnish ace was drafted into the first team at the 11th hour against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March after an injury to Alvaro Arbeloa in the pre-match warm-up.
Hyypia was thrown in alongside Martin Skrtel at the heart of the Reds' defence, but the ice-cool Scandinavian was far from panicky and rolled back the years to turn out a defensive masterclass in Liverpool's unforgettable 4-1 victory.
He did not appear for the first team again until the final day of the season against Tottenham, when he was afforded an emotional send off by the Kop.
Introduced as a late substitute, Hyypia almost signed off from Anfield in dream fashion, but his goal-bound header was scrambled off the line by Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Afterwards, Sami was in tears as he bade farewell to Liverpool after a decade of sterling service.
He leaves for Leverkusen a genuine Anfield legend.
There you go. Personally me thinks he doesnt deserve 5th to be honest, because there are many players who have played more and have done more than he has done, honestly. But it is a great send off gift to a fantastic player, well in fans for all sentimentality that we gave him. He deserves this after a decade of service to Liverpool.
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