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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Caoimhe O'Neill

Liverpool legend Sami Hyypia gives testimonial reminder on anniversary of final game

Liverpool legend Sami Hyypia has reminded the club he is still waiting for a testimonial match.

Hyypia proved one on the best value buys in Liverpool's history after spending a decade in the defence after arriving from Willem II for £2.6million in the summer of 1999.

The Kop pay tribute to Sami Hyypia of Liverpool during his last game at Anfield on May 24, 2009 (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The former Finland international captained the club and won 10 major honours including the Champions League in 2005.

And on the 10th anniversary of his final game for Liverpool, Hyypia has sent Liverpool a reminder he is yet to be honoured with a testimonial match.

In a post on Instagram recognising the date, the 45-year-old revealed he is "still waiting".

The emotional caption accompanying the image read: "On this day 2009, my last game for our great club.

"These images bring great and emotional memories to my mind! Thanks for these great years!"

One Reds fan replied to the image stating: "Never understood why no testimonial either! Legend!"

To which Hyypia responded: "Still waiting for it!"

Supporters then urged Liverpool to give the icon his special day.

One supporter tagged Liverpool in their reply and wrote: "Do what's right and get the big man the testimonial he deserves!"

Another fan said: "We want a testimonial for Sami!! One of our greatest ever legends!"

Sami Hyypia showing his appreciation to the fans at the end of the friendly match between Liverpool FC Legends and AC Milan Glorie at Anfield on March 23, 2019 (Photo by LFC Foundation/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

It was once a popular tradition to give any player who committed 10 seasons of service a testimonial game.

The original intention was to help compensate players going into retirement at a time when wages were a fraction of what they are today.

Liverpool have held just two testimonials in the past 19 years, one in 2010 for one-club man Jamie Carragher and another in 2013 for Steven Gerrard.

However, funds raised are now usually donated to a charity of the player's choice.

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