[lfc-news] Shackles off for Hyypia as attacking style starts to show - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 19 Nov 2004
Shackles off for Hyypia as attacking style starts to show
By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

THERE was an unexpected cameo during last weekend's victory over Crystal
Palace which seemed to underline the new-found freedom coursing through
Rafa Benitez's Liverpool.

Jamie Carragher, to goalscoring what Thomas Gravesen is to Brylcreem, took
a Xabi Alonso pass in his stride . . . inside Palace's penalty box, and
drew a save from goalkeeper. Then, barely seconds later, Sami Hyypia surged
upfield to support a raid down Liverpool's left-wing.

For players who hitherto crossed the halfway line only when the referee
signalled a corner, it appeared as if shackles had been cast off.

Hyypia played down the incidents this week, but admitted that under
Benitez, players are encouraged to accept more responsibility in usually
alien areas of the pitch.

"I don't know if the manager encourages us to get that far forward," he
explained "but he doesn't say that we can't go either. So if you go up with
the ball you just have to make sure you don't lose it and end up running back!

"We have freedom to go forward, but the balance is very important and the
manager likes the right number of defensive players to always be at the
back to watch out for possible counters."

There is no doubt that Liverpool have looked a more positive side at
Anfield this season, and that has placed greater responsibility on the
heart of the defensive operation - Hyypia and Carragher..

The big Finn believes that, a few hiccups apart, they have responded well
to the challenge.

"It does make it tougher for the defenders," he admitted "but I think the
manager still thinks defending is a very important part of the game. He
doesn't just think about the offensive side, he always thinks of the
defensive side also.

"It's a different ball-game now we are attacking a lot. You can get exposed
at the back, but we have to make sure we keep the balance and defend well also.

"It's always a change when a new manager comes and tactically we have
changed many things, which takes time before those ideas become automatic
in your head. Situations come so quickly and you only have a fraction of a
second to make your decision.

"Still I feel that in some situations the decision is not right, so we
still need to improve some things, but we are moving in the right direction."

One of those 'things' is undoubtedly the thorny issue of zonal marking at
set-pieces.

A match-losing goal conceded to Birmingham City, coupled with earlier goals
leaked at Old Trafford and Olympiakos, suggests the players were not
entirely comfortable with the switch.

But Hyypia believes it is beginning to bed in the play-ers' collective
consciousness - and will become an effective defensive tool.

"We have worked on it in training, but it still feels like we don't have it
one hundred per cent right yet," he admitted. "But every week you can see
somebody scoring if you mark man to man.

"That issue has been raised a little bit too often this season! Of course
it looks very bad if you see someone get a free header on goal, but we just
need to work with it a little bit more and we will be alright."

The next test for the zonal marking system will come tomorrow at
Middlesbrough, where strikers of the calibre of Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd
Hasselbaink will offer a stern examination.

Hyypia is aware of the challenge facing the Reds.

"They are still in Europe and want to be in Europe next season as well," he
explained. "They have tasted a little of what European football is and they
want to do it every year.

"I think it's going to be an interesting game. Both teams want those three
points and need those three points. They might be one of the challengers
for the Champions League but we'll see what happens in May.

"They made some good signings in the summer and Steve McClaren is a good
manager. He has the team very organised and very hard to beat. Viduka is a
strong target-man who can hold the ball up and everybody knows
Hasselbaink's record.

"It's going to be difficult for us, but if we play well as a team we can
win there."

With or without Carragher and Hyypia in the opposition penalty area . . .


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