Benitez: Hyypia can earn himself new Liverpool contract

Sep 22 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Sami Hyypia can keep defying the years and earn himself a new contract at Liverpool.

Hyypia is poised for an extended run in the side alongside Jamie Carragher in central defence with Daniel Agger ruled out for up to six weeks with a broken metatarsal.

Given Hyypia is 34 next month, doubts have been raised over the defender’s ability to cope with the demands of playing three games a week at both home and abroad.

Benitez, though, has no qualms relying on the centre-back, regarding Hyypia’s physical condition as one of the best at the club.

And the manager reckons Finland international, who arrived from Dutch side Willem II in May 1999, could yet extend his stay at Anfield after his present deal expires next summer.

“He is a fantastic player and a very good professional,” said Benitez. “He is a very nice person and he is clever.

“He knows it is very important for him to play the right number of games because he knows then he can play maybe more years.

“Physically he is one of the best players in the squad. I’m not talking about pace, but physical condition.

“He knows that he can have a future at the end of the season. It depends on him really. If he can do the right things, then I wouldn’t have any problems (with him staying).

“Sami has a really good mentality. He is always ready and good with his team-mates when he is not playing.

“I am not just saying these things because I have to. They are true.”

Hyypia will once again partner Carragher in defence when Birmingham City visit Anfield this afternoon.

Benitez has added reserve team captain Jack Hobbs to the squad, but the former Lincoln City player is more likely to make his senior debut at Reading in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

“Jack Hobbs will be training with us now and we can look at Alvaro Arbeloa as a possible centre-back too because he has done that at Deportivo La Coruna,” said Benitez.

With a broken metatarsal also sidelining Xabi Alonso for at least a month, Momo Sissoko is vying for a return in central midfield after missing the midweek Champions League draw in Porto for family reasons.

John Arne Riise is also available having been absent for the last two games with a groin injury, with Benitez ready to rotate his resources once again.

Of today’s opponents, Benitez said: “I know Birmingham will be a strong opponent. They have a lot of experience and their manager knows Liverpool very well.

“They are a well organised team and will be difficult to break down.”

Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio, who made his first appearance of the season on Tuesday as a late substitute after recovering from the Achilles problem that had ruled him out since March, is likely to again be on the bench.

However, Harry Kewell is still a week away from being considered for first-team action.