I can completely understand Sami Hyypia’s decision to carry on playing.
It was one I took myself at the end of my Anfield career and I never regretted it.
In 1978 both myself and Ian Callaghan got a call from John Toshack to come and join Swansea, where he was the manager.
Cally and I had two great years there before I hung up my boots - and we managed to get promoted twice.
The fans were great and we got a lot of respect because of the years we had spent at Liverpool.
The standard of football might not have been quite as good as we were used to but we both wanted to carry on enjoying the game as long as we could and Swansea gave us the perfect opportunity and some great memories.
Sami, likewise still has plenty to offer and isn’t ready to quit. I suspect he did not want to sign for anyone who might end up playing Liverpool and there’s not much chance of that happening.
I understand Rafa Benitez is disappointed he could not persuade him to say a bit longer but his chances of first team action are going to be very limited - even though he showed against United how good a player he still is.
He was magnificent that memorable day at Old Trafford, just as he has been throughout his whole Liverpool career.
He’s had one or two ups and downs I know but as the boss said, he is the model pro and it would be great to see him back at Anfield one day in a coaching capacity if possible.
But that’s for another day.
You are usually out of this game for much longer than you are in it and that’s why you hear so many retired professionals urging players to keep going as long as they can.
Sami’s taking the advice - and while we’ll all miss the big fella Leverkusen are making a terrific capture.
WE might be running out of games to catch Manchester United now but we’re certainly not running out of belief or form.
Three more goals against a very poor Newcastle side safely claimed the points on Sunday and but for the most stubborn crossbar of the season it could have been six.
Now we go to West Ham on Saturday with another chance to put pressure on United before their derby match with City on Sunday.
West Ham have improved under Zola but I’m still confident we’ll go there and get the three points.
If they want to get it down and play football, then we’ve obviously got the game to match them and more. But if the Hammers want to mix it a bit then I believe we’ve got a side under Benitez that can win a scrap too.
Hopefully Torres will be back and if we can go on and close the gap at the top again this weekend, then this title is still possible.
No one is going to be happy with second place and neither should anyone at Liverpool be. But if that’s where the Reds end up, it will still be a sign of good progress and an encouraging signal for next season.
But this one isn’t over yet and hope is not lost.
A good result against the Hammers lads and you just never, ever know!
It was one I took myself at the end of my Anfield career and I never regretted it.
In 1978 both myself and Ian Callaghan got a call from John Toshack to come and join Swansea, where he was the manager.
Cally and I had two great years there before I hung up my boots - and we managed to get promoted twice.
The fans were great and we got a lot of respect because of the years we had spent at Liverpool.
The standard of football might not have been quite as good as we were used to but we both wanted to carry on enjoying the game as long as we could and Swansea gave us the perfect opportunity and some great memories.
Sami, likewise still has plenty to offer and isn’t ready to quit. I suspect he did not want to sign for anyone who might end up playing Liverpool and there’s not much chance of that happening.
I understand Rafa Benitez is disappointed he could not persuade him to say a bit longer but his chances of first team action are going to be very limited - even though he showed against United how good a player he still is.
He was magnificent that memorable day at Old Trafford, just as he has been throughout his whole Liverpool career.
He’s had one or two ups and downs I know but as the boss said, he is the model pro and it would be great to see him back at Anfield one day in a coaching capacity if possible.
But that’s for another day.
You are usually out of this game for much longer than you are in it and that’s why you hear so many retired professionals urging players to keep going as long as they can.
Sami’s taking the advice - and while we’ll all miss the big fella Leverkusen are making a terrific capture.
WE might be running out of games to catch Manchester United now but we’re certainly not running out of belief or form.
Three more goals against a very poor Newcastle side safely claimed the points on Sunday and but for the most stubborn crossbar of the season it could have been six.
Now we go to West Ham on Saturday with another chance to put pressure on United before their derby match with City on Sunday.
West Ham have improved under Zola but I’m still confident we’ll go there and get the three points.
If they want to get it down and play football, then we’ve obviously got the game to match them and more. But if the Hammers want to mix it a bit then I believe we’ve got a side under Benitez that can win a scrap too.
Hopefully Torres will be back and if we can go on and close the gap at the top again this weekend, then this title is still possible.
No one is going to be happy with second place and neither should anyone at Liverpool be. But if that’s where the Reds end up, it will still be a sign of good progress and an encouraging signal for next season.
But this one isn’t over yet and hope is not lost.
A good result against the Hammers lads and you just never, ever know!
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