11 August 2012 19:43
Bayer Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia says he would like to return to Liverpool in the future, but believes he still has a lot to learn.
Former Finland and Liverpool stalwart Hyypia will return to the club where he played for 10 years for a friendly match on Sunday.
“It’s good to be back at Anfield,” he said.
“We have the last game of our preparation and hopefully we can play a good game and of course we want to win. Tomorrow we will try to win. There’s nothing wrong with it now because I represent another club, hopefully I get a good reception from the Liverpool fans.
“I would like to come back here but I haven’t really thought about it.”
The second managerial tenure of Liverpool favourite Kenny Dalglish ended in the off season, with Brendan Rodgers recruited from Swansea City to replace the veteran Scotsman.
Hyypia declined to offer an endorsement of the decision, preferring to wish the club well as they seek a return to Champions League contention.
“Kenny (Dalglish) has a special place with Liverpool but difficult to say if it was a good or bad decision to fire him,” Hyypia said.
“In football that can happen and everybody has to accept the decision. Hopefully Liverpool can return to the state of 10 years ago.”
And when quizzed on the issue of England international Andy Carroll, who does not appear to fit into Rodgers’ plans, Hyypia said he would be more suited to facing the powerful striker than livewire Uruguyan Luis Suarez.
“I can’t say I’m a fan of Andy Carroll but I can’t say anything against him,” he said.
“If I was thinking I had to play against a striker I would rather play against Andy than Luis Suarez. The type of player Andy is, that would suit me better than Suarez.”