NEWCASTLE is probably the least likely setting for the launch pad of the career of one of the Premier League’s greatest ever defenders.
Over the past 15 years the Magpies have fielded back fours with all the reliability of Joey Barton’s temperament and shipped goals almost as regularly as they have produced messiahs.
The latest batch are wholly in keeping with those who preceded them as Fabricio Coloccini and Sebastien Bassong illustrated so vividly at Anfield last week.
While that dastardly defensive duo performed a particularly passable impression of a colander allowing Liverpool’s attackers to pour through them at will, one man who could have given Newcastle a solid platform to build from for the last decade looked on, no doubt thankful that fate hadn’t taken him to St James’ Park.
For Sami Hyypia could so easily have been a Newcastle player and their loss was undoubtedly Liverpool’s gain.
It was back in 1995 that the then 22-year-old Hyypia turned up in the North East for a trial with Kevin Keegan’s side.
Typically, the Geordies failed to snap him up and the giant Finn went back to MyPa before later joining Dutch club Willem II.
“Newcastle certainly helped my career,” reckons Hyypia. “I had a two-week trial in 1995 under Kevin Keegan and it gave me an insight into English football.
“I was a young player in Finland and I didn't really expect it to lead to anything.
“I just went for the experience, but it was good experience and I enjoyed my time there.”
Maybe Keegan was happy enough with defensive colossuses Philip Albert and Steve Howey but whatever the reason was for not signing Hyypia it was a decision which paid massive dividends for Liverpool.
BEFORE Liverpool swooped for Sami Hyypia in 1999 they had been involved in a seemingly endless search for a top class centre half.
The likes of Phil Babb, Mark Wright, Bjorn Tore Kvarme, John Scales, Torben Piechnik and Neil Ruddock all tried and failed to a greater or lesser degree to fill the boots of the legendary Alan Hansen.
The Reds have had better players than big Sami. They have had ones who have been more successful when it comes to collecting medals. And they have also had individuals who have won much greater national and international renown.
But it is hard to think of too many who are as respected by the footballing community as a whole as Hyypia is.
That is why Rafa Benitez is so sorry to see the 35-year-old quit Anfield after a decade of the most sterling service imaginable and it is why the Reds boss was so keen to retain his services as a player and as a coach.
Standing six foot tall it is only natural that most people will look up to Hyypia but his height has little to do with the real reason why he continues to be so admired.
Speak to any Liverpool player past or present who has figured alongside him and you would be hard pressed in the extreme to find anyone with a bad word to say about him.
Jamie Carragher is adamant that not only is his long time sidekick arguably Liverpool’s greatest ever signing pound for pound, he also believes Hyypia is unquestionably one of the best foreign players ever to ply his trade in the Premier League.
The medal haul which includes winners gongs from the European, UEFA, FA and League cups is one indication of his quality.
As is the fact that Hyypia is the only central defender ever to score in three Champions League quarter finals, with the searing volley against Juventus en route to Istanbul in 2005 being the one which springs most readily to mind.
Try to think of the bad games he has had in a red shirt and you will be hard pressed to recall any more than a few.
The day when a Didier Drogba inspired Chelsea romped to a 4-1 win at Anfield is probably one such occasion but even then he was suffering from a heavy cold which reduced his effectiveness.
It is such incredibly high levels of consistency and performance which have marked Hyypia out as a 24-carat gold Liverpool legend.
If the very best defenders are able to read the game, position themselves to deal with attacks from whatever angle and provide constant calmness and assurance then Hyypia could only ever be considered up there with the finest ever to wear a red shirt.
Bayer Leverkusen will now benefit from his enduring professionalism for the next two years but his legacy will live on at Liverpool as while he may no longer be around once this season ends the example he set from the moment he first arrived in 1999 will unquestionably live on.
Copyright - Liverpool Echo