Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool's retiring legend Sami Hyypia's greatest moments
Former Liverpool star Sami Hyypia has announced his plans to retire from football at the end of the season following an illustrious 19-year playing career.[LNB]Hyypia joined Liverpool in 1999 under Gerard Houiller for a bargain ?2.5miliion from Dutch side Willem II before going on to enjoy a glittering stay at Anfield.[LNB]Here Sportsmail takes a look back at his most memorable appearances in the famous Liverpool red...[LNB]Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Liverpool, August 7, 1999[LNB]Liverpool began the season with a return trip to Hillsbrough, the scene of their 1-0 defeat the year before.[LNB]Hyypia was one of four new recruits in Gerard Houiller's side who avenged the defeat with goals from Robbie Fowler and Titi Camara.[LNB]Hyypia partnered current Reds vice captain Jamie Carragher and but for a Benito Carbone last minute consolation would have recorded his first clean-sheet as a Anfield stopper.[LNB] On show: Hyypia (right) makes a clearance during his debut[LNB]Manchester United 0-1 Liverpool, December 17, 2000 [LNB]Despite struggling on the road, Liverpool recorded their second away win of the season against their bitter rivals thanks to a first-half free-kick from Danny Murphy. [LNB]Houiller paired Hyypia alongside Henchoz in the centre of defence and between the pair they managed to keep United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at bay.[LNB]That win eventually saw the Merseysiders finish in third place, clinching a Champions League spot for the first time under Houiller's stewardship.[LNB] On the road: Hyypia intercepts a bass intended for United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) at Old Trafford[LNB] Liverpool 2-1 Juventus, Champions League Quarter Final first leg, April 5, 2005[LNB]Whilst Liverpool flattered to deceive in the league, they saved their best performances for the European stage.[LNB]Having brushed aside Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter finals, Liverpool faced Juventus for a place in the last four.[LNB]Hyypia scored arguably his finest and most important goal in a red shirt, when he volleyed past keeper Gianluigi Buffon in front of the Anfield Road End.[LNB]Luis Garcia added a second and despite a reply from Juventus, Hyypia led a brave performance in Turin as Benitez's side held out for a goalless draw to keep their European dream intact.[LNB]Click here to see Hyypia's memorable strike against The Old Lady[LNB]Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan, Champions League Final, May 25, 2005[LNB]Having reached their first European final since overcoming Alaves in the 2001 UEFA Cup final, Liverpool might have wished otherwise, as AC Milan exposed their backline three times in the first half.[LNB]With Hyypia and Carragher at loss to contain Andrey Shevchenko and Hernan Crespo in attack for the Italians, Carlo Ancelotti's men looked like adding several more after the break.[LNB]Liverpool though had other ideas, and three goals in the space of six minutes at the Ataturk Stadium stunned the Serie A side as much as themselves.[LNB]Jerzy Dudek's heroics in the penalty shoot-out sealed their fifth European Cup triumph, that was subsequently Hyypia's last winners medal in a Red shirt.[LNB][LNB]Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal, Champions League Quarter Final, April 8, 2008[LNB]Liverpool set up a second Champions League semi-final with Chelsea - after the pair met en route to they're 2005 triumph, after a stunning late win over Arsenal.[LNB]Following a 1-1 draw at the Emirates, Arsenal struck first at Anfield through Abou Diaby before Hyypia swung the tie in the Reds favour.[LNB]His finely placed header left Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia stranded and inspired the Merseysiders, eventually seeing off Arsene Wenger's side 5-3 on aggregate.[LNB]Click here to see Hyypia's headed equaliser against the Gunners[LNB] End of the road for Hyypia as former Liverpool hero announces retirementPICTURE SPECIAL: A fond farewell to Sami Hyypia, Tugay and Martin LaursenHyypia Finnish-ed with Liverpool as Bayer Leverkusen sign defenderAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher, Danny Murphy, Carlo Ancelotti, Sami Hyypia Places: Liverpool
