Sami Hyypiä Names World's Best Defender
Former Liverpool defender and club legend Sami Hyypiä has named Virgil van Dijk as the Premier League's greatest ever defender. Hyypiä, who joined Liverpool in 1999 from Willem II for £2.6 million and made 318 Premier League appearances, praised van Dijk's rock-solid defensive performances after his move to Liverpool in 2018. Despite Hyypiä’s own stellar career, including captaining Liverpool in 2002 and 2003 and winning multiple trophies, he singled out van Dijk as a modern-day defensive great in an interview shared by Daily Mail Sport.
Hyypiä played alongside and faced some of the best defenders in Premier League history, such as Jamie Carragher, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, and Nemanja Vidi?. However, van Dijk’s impact stood out due to his commanding presence and composure at the back. Van Dijk initially impressed fans and pundits during his time at Southampton before his then-record £75 million transfer to Liverpool, where he quickly became a defensive cornerstone.
Hyypiä’s own legacy at Liverpool is highly respected. During his decade at Anfield, he formed a strong partnership with Carragher, became known for his aerial ability, passing, and leadership, and helped the club win an iconic treble of cups in 2001, including the FA Cup, UEFA Cup, and League Cup. He was also instrumental in winning Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League and multiple domestic trophies. Known for his discipline, Hyypiä remarkably played 63 games in a season without receiving a single yellow or red card.
Fans and analysts consider Hyypiä one of Liverpool's best defenders ever, often compared alongside Alan Hansen, Jamie Carragher, and more recently, Virgil van Dijk. His signing remains one of Liverpool’s best bargain buys, with a career marked by consistency, leadership, and success.
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