Top five Liverpool players signed by Gerard Houllier
1. Sami Hyypia
Perhaps the greatest Finnish footballer of all-time after Jari Litmanen, Hyypia came to Liverpool in 1999 from Dutch club Willem II. He soon became a mainstay in the team, forming a central defensive partnership with Stephane Hencho and later, Jamie Carragher. In his very first season, Hyypia was named in the PFA Team of the Year for his performances.
During the 2000/01 season, in the absence of regular skipper Jamie Redknapp, the Finn shared the club captaincy along with Robbie Fowler and helped them win a treble. That year, Hyypia was named in the UEFA Team of the Year and is the only Finnish footballer till date to receive this distinction.
He lost the captaincy to Gerrard in 2003 but remained to be a regular starter in the team under Houllier. Following the appointment of Rafa Benitez, Hyypia formed a very efficient partnership with Carragher in the heart of the defense as Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005.
His time at Anfield came to an end in 2009 with 464 appearances to his name and 35 goals. Hyypia won ten trophies at Liverpool while also managing a second appearance in the PFA Team of the Year in 2001/02 when he was also adjudged the club’s Player of the Season.
Next. Gérard Houllier’s 40 Liverpool signings ranked and rated – who’s the worst?. dark
On the basis of quality and longevity, there’s little doubt that the lanky Finnish defender is the greatest signing made by Houllier at Liverpool