Football - Liverpool FC: Sami Hyypia salutes fans as he leaves Liverpool

May 25 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Football - Liverpool FC: TEARFUL Sami Hyypia saluted Liverpool’s supporters after making an emotional farewell from Anfield.

The veteran defender brought the curtain down on a decade of service with his 464th and final appearance for the club in the 3-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.

Hyypia emerged from the bench to play the final six minutes and was given several standing ovations by the home crowd.

The 35-year-old later broke down in tears after the final whistle before being surrounded by his team-mates and being carried off the pitch on the shoulders of Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

And Hyypia said: “There were a few tears in my eyes at the end but I was surprised I’d managed to keep them in for so long. It’s a sad moment for me to leave, but I have a new challenge for me waiting in Germany now.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with the fans. From day one they have took me as one of their own and that hasn’t changed.”

Hyypia almost had a fairytale ending to his Liverpool career but his injury-time header was saved

by Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

“It would have been too perfect an ending to be honest!” added the Finland international.

“It was a good ball from Fabio and I managed to get the header on target.”

Benitez had originally intended to bring Hyypia on for the final minute but was persuaded to change his plans by the Kop baying for the defender to be brought on.

Hyypia replaced Steven Gerrard and therefore played out the closing moments of his Liverpool career as captain.

And Benitez said: “I am really pleased for him but a little bit sad because we’re losing a fantastic professional, a good player and a good person too.

“I told him before the game I wanted to wait until the last minute, but the fans were pushing. At the end it was better (that he came on earlier than the last minute) because he almost scored.

“It been 10 years and he’s an idol here with the fans. Everyone loves him because he’s so good.”

Fernando Torres and an Alan Hutton own goal put Liverpool in control and, although Robbie Keane pulled one back – the former Anfield striker notably choosing not to celebrate his goal – Yossi Benayoun ensured victory with a late strike.

Meanwhile, Benitez again insisted Xabi Alonso was not for sale after weekend reports suggested the player’s agent, Inaki Ibanez, had told Liverpool the midfielder was prepared to hand in a transfer request.

“Xabi has three years left on his contract,” said Benitez. “We are really pleased with him and we don’t want to sell. I had a private conversation with his agent.

“ My idea is very clear, he has three years left and we don’t want to sell him.

“He has said he is happy here. He is saying that in every single interview.

“We want to keep key players, the spine of the team. If we want to do business we can do it with other players. It’s not a question of selling players we don’t want to sell.”