SAMI HYYPIA has revealed a burning desire to appear at Wembley before the end of his Liverpool career.

The Finland international centre-back skippered Rafael Benitez’s side as they saw off Crewe Alexandra 2-1 on Tuesday to move into the last 16 of the Carling Cup.

Hyypia, who at 34 is now in his 10th season at Anfield, has reached the final of the competition three times with the club, winning the trophy in 2001 and 2003 and a beaten finalist in 2005.

All three games were held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, along with Hyypia’s two FA Cup final appearances in 2001 and 2006.

And Hyypia said: “I have not played at Wembley so for me personally, to go there and get a game would be great.

“Crewe made it difficult but that’s what you are always going to get against a lower division side – they fight until the end and that’s what happened.

“Maybe we could have played a bit better in the second half but it was a tough match and in the end we have to be happy to go through. It was a good battle and I’m happy because maybe the League Cup is a competition in which I will play, so I’m very happy we got through to the next round and hopefully it will mean another game for me.”

Tuesday was only Hyypia’s second start of the season, with Benitez electing to give an opportunity to a host of fringe players.

Jermaine Pennant made his first appearance of the campaign having falling down the pecking order at Anfield.