Hyypia set to sign new deal as he eyes decade at Anfield

SAMI Hyypia appears set to sign a new contract this weekend which will extend his stay at Anfield beyond a decade.

The veteran defender's current deal runs out at the end of the season, but Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez yesterday spoke of his confidence that talks on an extension will be concluded this week. He said: "Rick Parry (chief executive] is due to talk to Sami's agent this weekend, and we hope everything will then be finished."

Hyypia – who has been linked with moves to Fulham and Newcastle United – has made it clear he wants to end his top-flight career at Anfield, and is now expected to sign another one-year extension.

That means Hyypia will join a select band of Liverpool players who have spent more than ten years at the club, the Finn having arrived under Gerard Houllier back in 1999.

The 34-year-old has made no secret of his desire to remain on Merseyside.

Earlier this year, he said: "It would be very nice to get to ten years at the club, but I'm just concentrating on playing well.

"Whether I stay wouldn't depend on how many games I play. I'm not like that. I'm not interested in somebody promising me something.

"If we have four centre-backs then everyone fights for their place, and performances should determine who plays.

"If I keep playing well then it'll be difficult for the manager to change things."

Hyypia was expected to take a back seat this season, thanks to Danish youngster Daniel Agger's considerable progress as a partner for Jamie Carragher.

But Agger has missed virtually all the season with a broken metatarsal and has now been ruled out until next term.

Hyypia has therefore played 37 games this season and been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers.

Next season, with Agger back fit and new boy Martin Skrtel continuing to develop, Hyypia can expect to be used less frequently.

But Benitez wants his experience around Anfield as a strong back-up to the new boys.

Hyypia was a key part of the 2001 treble-winning campaign, at the back alongside Stephane Henchoz. He was one of the top contributors on the road to Champions League glory in Istanbul, scoring a cool volley which proved crucial in the quarter-final defeat of Juventus.