Sami Hyypia, not Xabi Alonso, is Liverpool's biggest loss
By Brian Reade
Published 21:32 06/11/09
The general consensus is that a club has never missed a player more badly than Liverpool miss Xabi Alonso.
But although he's left a Grand Canyon-sized hole in Liverpool's midfield, they're missing someone else even worse. Sami Hyypia.
Injuries and poor form have devastated the defence, and the quality of the replacements has been well below par. What a difference Hyypia's skill, nous, coolness and presence would have made.
Had the Finn played both games against Lyon, it's doubtful Liverpool would have conceded late goals, and may now be virtually into the knock-out rounds.
Had he been alongside Jamie Carragher in some of the League games where comic cuts defending has cost them points, they would be comfortably in the top four. Instead he's had Sitirios Kyrgiakos, hastily bought as the transfer window closed, with the loose change found down the back of the boardroom couch. And look at the result.
All great teams are built from the back. As this season goes on Liverpool will reflect on their calamitous start and rue not replacing Hyypia even more than Alonso.
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