Hope springs eternal for Hyypiä

By Adrian Harte in Istanbul

Liverpool FC have come to expect a lot from their defenders in European Champion Clubs' Cup finals. Emlyn Hughes lifted the trophy in 1977 and 1978, Alan Kennedy scored the winner in 1981 against Real Madrid CF with Phil Thompson hoisting the silverware, and Kennedy converted the winning kick in the penalty shoot-out against AS Roma in 1984.

High expectations
Current defensive linchpin Sami Hyypiä can add his name to that list against AC Milan in Istanbul as Liverpool seek to bridge a 21-year gap since their fourth and last European Cup success. Liverpool fans' expectations are at fever pitch and Hyypiä is keen that the team take their chance having come so far against the odds.

'Our chapter'
He said: "Everyone always remembers the days when Liverpool were dominant in Europe. This is an opportunity to bring the cup home again and write our chapter in the club's history. Maybe it's my only chance to win this cup and I can't just let it go easily."

Improbable feat
The Finn readily admits that the squad have exceeded their own expectations in reaching the final. "Every year you have to believe that you can win everything that year," he said, "but during the season I didn't really think we'd be in the final. But we're here now and nobody can chase us away."

Contrasting form
That lack of faith may have been down to Liverpool's contrasting fortunes in Europe, where they have defeated Juventus FC and Chelsea FC en route to Turkey, and at home, where they finished fifth in the Premiership, 37 points adrift of champions Chelsea.

Different games
Hyypiä has his theory for that anomaly. "In the Premiership the pace is always high and the game is end to end," he said. "In Europe many teams we play against play a different style. We have a lot of new players and for them European football is more suitable than the Premiership. But I've seen a lot of good signs that they've adapted and I think next year will be different."

Tactical nous
For now the focus is on Milan and Hyypiä insists that Liverpool have done their homework: "We prepare like we always do: the manager is analysing Milan very carefully, we try to fit our tactics to strike on their weak points."

Shevchenko threat
Hyypiä and defensive partner Jamie Carragher, Liverpool's player of the season, will need all the guidance they can get from Rafael Benítez as they seek to nullify the threat of European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko. However, the 31-year-old is making no special concessions for his Ukrainian opponent. Hyypiä said: "He is one of the best strikers in the world. I've not played against him but I have played against many of the top strikers. I will prepare as I always do - it doesn't make any difference that it's a big game."

Important moment
For Hyypiä, victory in Istanbul could trigger another golden age for one of Europe's most trophied clubs. He said: "When we win it will be the start of a good era and all the players will be in the history books as Champions League winners. That would kick-start the club to win more things.

'In good hands'
"The club is in good hands, the manager is very good; it's important for us to have somebody in charge who knows his football and that's something that will help the club reach the heights of the 1980s."