Big Sami is highly thought of at Anfield but not so much outside
Over the next week or so, Live4liverpool will be taking a look at a number of current and former Liverpool players (from last 15 years) that have been underrated (to varying degrees) during their time at Liverpool, so check in each day to see if you agree with us.
Sami Hyypia – Big Sami. Many would argue that the man we famously signed for £2.6 million is anything but underrated but he makes this list purely because, outside Anfield, few rate him the way we do.
From a purely personal point, Sami is the greatest centre back I’ve ever seen play for the club. But when fans outside of (and even some inside) Anfield talk about him, the comments generally go that he was a nice guy, dignified and a solid defender.
In reality he is one of the greatest players of the Premier League era and a true Liverpool legend.
Has there ever been a better reader of the game? Alan Hansen, perhaps, and a few older fans may have their favourites but, despite Sami’s lack of speed or natural pace, he was rarely found out or caught out.
Over the course of his 523 appearances for the club Sami scored 38 goals, and was partnered by a wide range of players, including the likes of Stephane Henchoz, Jamie Carragher, Dan Agger, Martin Skrtel, whilst managing to make pairings with players like Djimi Traore and Igor Biscan somehow work too.
The big man has always preferred to be in the background and his role was often understated but while people point to the introduction of Didi Hamann, Jamie Carragher’s constant clearances and Jerzy Dudek’s goalkeeping heroics, the 2005 Champions League final would’ve been a much different match had it not been for a defender of Sami’s quality.
In a world where heroes and legends have egos and hubris, Hyypia was a player you could look up to and be proud of.
