Liverpool have had some of the Premier League’s best-ever defenders among their ranks over the years.
At the moment, their best defender is Virgil van Dijk, with the Dutchman often keeping his Liverpool teammates in check.
Times have been tough for Liverpool over the last month or so, with the Anfield outfit losing six of their last seven games across all competitions.
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A lot of this is down to the poor form of the Reds’ defensive line, and unless that gets sorted soon, their Premier League title hopes could be obliterated.
Virgil van Dijk shouts at teammates during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray at Rams Park.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
However, this hasn’t always been the case with former Manchester United man Dimitar Berbatov now naming Sami Hyypia as the toughest opponent he faced throughout his lengthy career.
Sami Hyypia was one of Liverpool’s best-ever defenders
Most of Hyypia’s time with Liverpool was spent alongside Jamie Carragher as his partner.
The duo were fairly solid for the Merseyside outfit, and they even managed to single-handedly earn Liverpool points on more than one occasion.
They never managed to win a Premier League title while playing for the Reds, but they both played a major part in Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League win, with Hyypia even getting himself a goal.
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And now, after being asked by TNT Sports who his toughest opponent was, Berbatov simply replied: “Hyypia”.
Sami Hyypia is one of Liverpool’s best-ever defenders
Although Hyypia ended up leaving Liverpool in 2009, the 10 years he had at the club will forever be etched in the Reds’ history.
During his time at Anfield, there was an ongoing debate about who was the better centre-back between Hyypia and Carragher.
This debate has always split opinions, with some even finding it hard to choose between the two.
But, in the grand scheme of things, it feels like Hyypia is the obvious winner.
Sami Hyypia pictured smiling during Liverpool's pre-season tour.
Photo by Allsport Co./Getty Images
He came into the club from the Eredivisie, and there was hardly a day when he looked out of place.
Indeed, if we’re talking about legacy, then Carragher would obviously be the one to come out on top, but based on ability alone, the Finland international would be ahead of his former teammate.