Liverpool veteran Sami Hyypia is desperate for league success as he nears the end of his illustrious career.
Many would consider it one of the greatest crimes in English football if Hyypia were to end his career without a Premier League medal.
The Finnish defender has been an instrumental figure ever since arriving at Anfield in 1999. Indeed, his £2.6million purchase from Willem II is widely regarded as the best bit of business Gerard Houllier ever did during his time as Liverpool manager.
Hyypia has won almost everything there is to win besides the league title: the Champions League and the UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, two League Cups, two European Super Cups and two Community Shields.
But the 34-year-old has only a runner-up medallion for all his efforts in the league - a situation he is determined to rectify before he hangs up the boots.
And he believes the Merseyside giants have a great chance this season to finally end their 18-year drought.
"Hopefully it won't be my last opportunity but of course every year we have high hopes that we'll be closer to the top," Hyypia was quoted as saying in The Sun.
"This year is the same. We have strengthened the team with good quality players in the summer and hopefully we will be stronger this season."
He added: "Of course it gets a little bit more difficult as you get older but I have enjoyed this pre-season.
"I have played and I feel fit. We all get older but there are a lot of young lads who keep me fit in this team!"
Many would consider it one of the greatest crimes in English football if Hyypia were to end his career without a Premier League medal.
The Finnish defender has been an instrumental figure ever since arriving at Anfield in 1999. Indeed, his £2.6million purchase from Willem II is widely regarded as the best bit of business Gerard Houllier ever did during his time as Liverpool manager.
Hyypia has won almost everything there is to win besides the league title: the Champions League and the UEFA Cup, two FA Cups, two League Cups, two European Super Cups and two Community Shields.
But the 34-year-old has only a runner-up medallion for all his efforts in the league - a situation he is determined to rectify before he hangs up the boots.
And he believes the Merseyside giants have a great chance this season to finally end their 18-year drought.
"Hopefully it won't be my last opportunity but of course every year we have high hopes that we'll be closer to the top," Hyypia was quoted as saying in The Sun.
"This year is the same. We have strengthened the team with good quality players in the summer and hopefully we will be stronger this season."
He added: "Of course it gets a little bit more difficult as you get older but I have enjoyed this pre-season.
"I have played and I feel fit. We all get older but there are a lot of young lads who keep me fit in this team!"
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