Hip hip hooray for Hyypia

Just how brilliant are the Liverpool supporters! Not only can the Kop raise the roof when the going gets tough, they can now dictate the tactics too.There was a brilliant flash of humour on the final day of the Premiership season as the Reds confronted Tottenham at Anfield.

Liverpool had already secured their creditable second place to Manchester United but Tottenham still had everything to play for with a place in the Europa League at stake.Liverpool also had a record to maintain – an entire season unbeaten at home for the first time in 21 years.

Fernando Torres had already secured a place in the history book by scoring his 50th goal of the season for Liverpool and with the Reds coasting to victory, it was the fans, as opposed to Rafael Benitez, who wanted a change on the pitch. Bring on hero Sami Hyypia, they cried.

Benitez later admitted it had always been his intention to bring the big Norwegian on a minute or two from time so the Kop could wish him a fond farewell. After a brilliant ten seasons with Liverpool, Hyypia is joining Bayer Leverkusen to see out his playing career.

His cool head, brilliant defending and a crucial goal or two made him a firm favourite at Anfield and the crowd had absolutely no intention of letting him go without a rip-roaring send-off.Managers aren’t normally dictated too by the supporters but on this occasion, Benitez just had to concede.

Ten minutes before time, on came Hyypia and what a great touch it was for captain Steven Gerrard to pass on his armband. The icing on the cake would have been scoring and Hyypia very nearly did that too.Afterwards, as Hyypia did a lap of honour, applauding the crowd, he admitted there were tears in his eyes.

Liverpool are losing a grand servant and their loss is Bayer Leverkusen’s gain. It’s great players like Hyypia who form the backbone of clubs, working consistently and silently in the background but always being there when needed.It’s odds on that Sami Hyypia will one day return to Anfield in some sort of coaching capacity and Liverpool will welcome him back with open arms.

Meantime, attention turns to Xabi Alonso who is being tipped to leave Liverpool, possibly for Real Madrid. Benitez says no, this is not the case. Alonso is happy at Anfield, has no plans to leave and is a great player they still want around.Liverpool fans will be waiting to see just who remains in the squad and what new signings will be made for the next season.

The Kop will be hoping to go one step better and secure the Premiership and avoiding those costly draws at home will be the key. Even the fans won’t be able to dictate that one.