<table border="3" width="100%" id="table1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="0"><!--
--> <tr><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><!--
--> <p align="center"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">Season</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">TD</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CAS</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CMP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">INT</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">SPP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="40%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">Awards</font></b></td><!--
--> </tr><!--
--> <tr><!-- STATS FOR SEASON
--> <td bgcolor="#000000" align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b><!-- INSERT SEASON NUMBER-->All</b></font></td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT TDS-->1</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CAS-->2</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CMP-->1</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT INT-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT SPP-->18</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT AWARDS--><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/151760.jpg" alt="Season 1 Veteran"> <img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/171559.jpg" alt="Season 2 Veteran"><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/186435.jpg" alt="Season 3 Veteran"><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/214243.jpg" alt="Season 4 Veteran"><!--
--> </tr><!-- END OF SEASON STATS
--> </table>

Finnish international centre half Sami Hyypia has been an inspired signing for the Reds and is widely regarded as one of the best centre halves in Europe.


Hyypia formed an instant rapport with fellow centre back Stephane Henchoz and their partnership at the back was a key part of Gerard Houllier's team. Now he plays alongside Jamie Carragher and the pair have a very good understanding together.

Hyypia is strong in the air and reads the game well and is a big favourite with the Kop.

Sami began his career with the little known MyPa Anjalankoski where he helped them lift the Finnish Cup in 1992. He made his international debut against Tunisia and his consistent form attracted the attentions of Dutch outfit Willem II, who signed him in 1995.

The 1998-99 season was his most successful in Holland as he captained the club to a place in the Champions League.

However, he gave up the opportunity to play in Europe's premier cup competition to move to Anfield. Hyypid impressed from the start as Liverpool put their recent defensive concerns behind them.

In the absence of injured skipper Jamie Redknapp and vice-captain Robbie Fowler, Hyypia assumed the role of captain in 2001, and led the Reds out in both the FA and UEFA Cup Final's. He also captained the side in the Charity Shield victory over Manchester United and the Super Cup success against Bayern Munich.

After the sales of Fowler and Redknapp, Sami was appointed captain by Gerard Houllier in April 2002 before Steven Gerrard took over the armband in October 2003.

Sami's medal collection at Anfield is very impressive. With Liverpool he has won the Champions League, FA Cup twice, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup twice, League Cup twice (Worthington and Carling), Charity Shield.