‘Van Dijk’s real leader for Reds’
‘Place in history beckons for stars’
The Finnish defender is living proof that success at Anfield guarantees Liverpool fans will carry you in their hearts forever.
More than a decade after leaving the club, Kop legend Hyypia, 46, is still revered as a warrior of the miracle of Istanbul in 2005 when Liverpool won the Champions League against AC Milan.
But he reckons that enduring idolisation will be ramped up even more for the stars who manage to bring home Liverpool’s first League crown in 30 years.
“Everyone remembers you when you win trophies – even 15 or 20 years on,” said Hyypia.
“When I’m back in Liverpool, everyone mentions that night in Istanbul in 2005 – something like that stays with the fans. No one forgets those achievements.
“That’s why this city will go crazy if they manage to win the title this year.
“When we won in Istanbul, the club hadn’t won the European Cup for 21 years, so there was great emotion. It was a huge release.
“And it will be the same next May if we win the title – because it’s been so long. There will be wild celebrations and also a place in history for the players. It will be special.”
Hyypia reckons the street scenes that followed their Champions League triumph against Tottenham in June will feel like a small knees- up compared with the mayhem that will erupt if Klopp’s team are crowned league champions.
And this time he has vowed he won’t miss the party, after heading home to Finland, following Klopp’s triumph in Madrid against Spurs.
“Last May, I was in Madrid and people were trying to get me to fly back to Liverpool to celebrate, but I couldn’t because I had to be in
Finland the next day.
“I saw the pictures and the footage of the celebrations and I was sad that I couldn’t have been there because it was tremendous,” said Hyypia, speaking on behalf of Carlsberg, official beer of Liverpool FC.
“But I promise I won’t miss the party if we become champions next year.”
Whi l e Liverpool stretched their lead over Manchester City to eight points going into the international break, Hyypia knows there is a long road ahead.
But he has seen enough already to know Klopp and his players won’t allow their focus to waver.
“It’s a great thing that no one left last summer – they kept all their big players. And, when I see them play, it looks like everyone wants to be there to play for this club and be in this team.
“I watch them and it seems t they are having fun p playing at such an e extraordinarily high level – but they are also demanding of each other. T That’s why they won’t ease up.
“I saw the episode with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, but, far from thinking that was damaging to the dressing room spirit, I thought that showed how strong it is.
“It just shows that everyone wants to win together and what a great group Klopp has built with that dynamic.
“It’s always good to have that kind of openness where players can call each other out. That’s part of the culture of winning.
“All successful teams have that desire, which means they demand more from each other.
“I remember some sparks flying between players when I was at Anfield – and that’s only good for the team.”
With Pep Guardiola’s ( left) City stars certain to fight until the end, Hyypia believes, if Liverpool triumph, it will make victory even more remarkable.
“If someone creates a great team like City, you can’t stop that,” he said. “We lost one game and City won the title, so you have to hold up your hands as we did all we could to win it.
“They even gave us credit for pushing them to the very end. That’s why, if we win, it’ll be even better as City are just so good .
“To win in an era where your rival is so good merely heightens the achievement.”