“I Somehow Never Get Used To It” – Sami Hyypia On Return To Anfield For Liverpool Legends Clash | OneFootball

By Leah Bower

LFC Legends face off against Chelsea Legends at Anfield on Saturday in aid of the LFC Foundation.

The Reds are making history this time as Liverpool Women’s top scorer Natasha Dowie joins the likes of Steven Gerrard, David James, Peter Crouch, Igor Bišćan, and Momo Sissoko, all set to play in front of a huge crowd in the stands to support the foundation.

LFC Foundation aims to tackle social inequalities in its communities and funds raised from this game will support the Foundation’s health programmes. The health programmes provide physical and mental health support for people of all ages.

The match itself comes 20 years after The Reds met Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League with Luis Garcia’s infamous goal.

Dan spoke to Liverpool Legend set to feature in defence on Saturday and a staple of that Champions League campaign, Sami Hyypiä, on, returning to Anfield, the impact of the LFC Foundation, the 2005 semi-final and his thoughts on Virgil van Dijk.

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On the Legends match:

“I might be now one of the oldest guys on the field, so I’m proud of that.

“It’s always a great opportunity for us old players to see our ex-teammates, and I love it.

“I find it great that all the granddads and dads can bring their grandkids and kids to see their heroes. So it’s great for us as well, that the young kids get to know us a little bit better as well.

“Of course we want to win.

“I’m sure that we have enough quality that we can win the game.”

This is the ninth Legends fixture and over £7.5million has been raised for the LFC Foundation from these games so far.

Funds raised from the game can help make a positive difference to the lives of those in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

Sami on the LFC foundation:

“I’ve worked with the foundation with the pre-season tour, for example, in America last July and they are doing a great job, not only locally there, but also internationally.

“Obviously you need money to do that as well and it’s great that people are coming to see us play and it’s a great opportunity.

“All the football schools internationally, for homeless people and homeless kids, it’s tremendous and I want to be part of that for sure.”

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On the 2005 semi-final v Chelsea:

“Chelsea was a tough team to beat at that time, and they had a good team, and you just needed to concentrate like you do to every game.

“I think we had good confidence at that time, and I’m so glad that we beat them. The crowd was absolutely amazing that night. I think that was, for me as a player, one of the greatest games and the best atmosphere I’ve experienced at Anfield.

“I remember also that they had a great chance at the end of the game and it was just not too far from the far post

“You couldn’t hear someone from 10 yards out. So that made it a little bit maybe more difficult for us, but as a player I always liked that when the atmosphere is great.”

“Best Atmosphere I’ve Experienced” – Sami Hyypia On Chelsea 2005, Legends Match & Virgil van Dijk

On Luis Garcia’s goal:

“Of course, it was a goal.

“The other option for that was that penalty for us and a Čech red card.

“I think Luis always says that when he meets Mourinho somewhere, he always reminds him, ‘No, no, it wasn’t a goal’.”

On our captain:

“I think you would see from the start when [Van Dijk] came when he came to the club that he took leadership at the back.

“I wouldn’t think that the armband has changed him, I think he was that kind of leader already when he came.

“He’s been tremendous, I think, in every area of the game. I would have loved to play along with him for sure.

“Maybe I have a chance, I need to keep myself fit and when he’s coming to the Legends games later on, then hopefully I’m fit enough to play even five minutes with him.”

On defensive partnerships:

“It’s very crucial. You can play with a player who thinks differently about situations than you.

“If you have that kind of partner who thinks similarly, about how to solve situations, then it’s always easier.

“We have great centre-backs at our club at the moment and hopefully Virgil will stay for a few years more.”

On his preparation for the game:

“I don’t play football that much.

“I need to prepare myself a little bit for these kinds of games to get the body adjusted and used to the movements on the field as well and not to get injured.

“Maybe the tempo is not like the Premier League in these games, but I think for us or for me, the tempo is enough.”

On playing back at Anfield:

“It’s a great opportunity to play at Anfield for sure, that I had played 10 years there.

“Always when I go on the field, it’s a special occasion.

“I love the fact that the stadium is always nearly full to see us play there.

“Last year when we played against Ajax, I think that was the record crowd for me at Anfield, because when I played, the capacity was only 45,000, so I’m happy that, there will be nearly 60,000 people watching us.

“When I go to watch games and people sing, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, I get goosebumps every time.

“I somehow never get used to it”

There will undoubtedly be a fantastic atmosphere for all of the returning Reds at the weekend, but the focus of course should be on why the match is happening.

Hopefully, a Liverpool win will be a powerful way to support the LFC Foundation’s incredible work in the community.

Tickets are still available on the Liverpool FC ticketing website.