The Super Greek to save our season

By Ste Speed On · 67 Comments · In Opinion

WHEN Sami Hyypia chose to move on last summer, for pastures new at Bayer Leverkusen, like most Liverpool fans, I was very worried that he would be badly missed as a vital member of the squad. When it was announced that we would be signing the Greek international – and ‘Rangers reject’ – Sotirios Kyrgiakos I wasn’t exactly filled with a lot of optimism.

Then again, Super Sami left some pretty big boots to fill so it was only natural that anybody coming in as his replacement would fill me with a bit of doubt. I wasn’t initially too impressed with the big Greek on his debut against Bolton in August but I wasn’t too worried as I didn’t expect him to play very often. He hardly impressed in the defeat at Craven Cottage either, mind, nor did any of his teammates.

More recently, with Glen Johnson out injured and Jamie Carragher moving out to full back to cover for him, Kyrgiakos has stepped into the side, with Daniel Agger perennially injured. He has been absolutely phenomenal with three man of the match performances in the last four games. His performances recently, against Stoke, Spurs, Wolves and Bolton have been up there with the very best around. Ian Rush stated after the Wolves game that; “he is ready to fill the void left by Sami Hyypia.”

Rafa Benitez has already stated that Kyrgiakos is a really important member of the squad and if he continues to perform like has been, he is a certainty to become a cult hero to Reds fans. He will be absolutely vital to the team in the next few weeks as we play five games in a row that will probably define our season. We are going to need players (especially in the derby) that are willing to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. Kyrgiakos’ attitude and playing style typifies a great fighting spirit and his never say die attitude is just what we need to kick start or spluttering season and get us back where we belong in the Champions League next season.

With the big man from Greece in the side I really feel confident that we are going to be seeing many more clean sheets over the remainder of the season and he will write his name into folklore as a man that helped to turn our season around.

  • About the author

    Ste Speed

    An exiled Red living in Vancouver who runs the Vancouver LFC Supporters Club along with a couple of other guys.

    View all articles by Ste Speed.
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  • aravindreds

    Absolutely spot on. Sami Hyypia‘s was sorely missed this season even more so than Alonso and our defense has since then looked very vulnerable in terms of getting to the ball first. But Soto has changed all that.

  • Yash

    Krgiakos is a great player because now he is stating to perform. For 2 million pounds Krgiakos is worth it because he is improving and always fit when other defenders such as agger are injured.
    YNWA

  • Yash

    Krgiakos is a great player because now he is stating to perform. For 2 million pounds Krgiakos is worth it because he is improving and always fit when other defenders such as agger are injured.
    YNWA

  • Yash

    Krgiakos is a great player because now he is stating to perform. For 2 million pounds Krgiakos is worth it because he is improving and always fit when other defenders such as agger are injured.
    YNWA

  • Lawrence Okwutu, LIVERPOOL FAN

    KYRGIAKOS is absolutely in great form. we shall miss him dearly for four matches. i hope the coach will find a way out. i wish Rafa will continues to use him well.
    well done the `Greek head master`. keep it up!

  • Lawrence Okwutu, LIVERPOOL FAN

    KYRGIAKOS is absolutely in great form. we shall miss him dearly for four matches. i hope the coach will find a way out. i wish Rafa will continues to use him well.
    well done the `Greek head master`. keep it up!

  • Lawrence Okwutu, LIVERPOOL FAN-LAGOS

    KYRGIAKOS is absolutely in great form. we shall miss him dearly for four matches. i hope the coach will find a way out. i wish Rafa will continues to use him well.
    well done the `Greek head master`. keep it up!

  • Georgios Athanasiou

    Dear all, Sotos is Greek and I’m Greek too, but that’s not the case, Sotiris hs been famous in Greece for his aerial quality, his bossy mentality and fighting spirit. That’s why he has been a valuable part of the National Team all these years. Consequently, his move to Celtic was only natural after a few years time. You ALL have to know that, as soon as he verified his move to Anfield last summer, from AEK Athens, he was blown away and “betrayed” his former club, which was in the middle of preparation before a serious UEFA CUP match. His coach, was devastated at his departure. But Sotos said “I’m going to Liverpool, that is my dream come true”. So, gentlemen, rest assured that our Sotos is a worthy player, a very dedicated professional and a strong character. Liverpool has signed a player for many years to come

  • Georgios Athanasiou

    Dear all, Sotos is Greek and I’m Greek too, but that’s not the case, Sotiris hs been famous in Greece for his aerial quality, his bossy mentality and fighting spirit. That’s why he has been a valuable part of the National Team all these years. Consequently, his move to Celtic was only natural after a few years time. You ALL have to know that, as soon as he verified his move to Anfield last summer, from AEK Athens, he was blown away and “betrayed” his former club, which was in the middle of preparation before a serious UEFA CUP match. His coach, was devastated at his departure. But Sotos said “I’m going to Liverpool, that is my dream come true”. So, gentlemen, rest assured that our Sotos is a worthy player, a very dedicated professional and a strong character. Liverpool has signed a player for many years to come

  • Georgios Athanasiou

    Dear all, Sotos is Greek and I’m Greek too, but that’s not the case, Sotiris hs been famous in Greece for his aerial quality, his bossy mentality and fighting spirit. That’s why he has been a valuable part of the National Team all these years. Consequently, his move to Celtic was only natural after a few years time. You ALL have to know that, as soon as he verified his move to Anfield last summer, from AEK Athens, he was blown away and “betrayed” his former club, which was in the middle of preparation before a serious UEFA CUP match. His coach, was devastated at his departure. But Sotos said “I’m going to Liverpool, that is my dream come true”. So, gentlemen, rest assured that our Sotos is a worthy player, a very dedicated professional and a strong character. Liverpool has signed a player for many years to come

  • Daniel

    Guys, you’re right, he was average when he came but you have to take all the factors into account. He signed for us on a Thursday and made his debut that weekend. Not only was he thrown into the deep end, but he was still in pre-season with AEK at the time. Therefore he not only made a jump in the quality of the league, and had to adapt to the tempo and style, but he also wasn’t fully fit. He needed time to settle and now he has he’s been amazing. As for his time at Rangers, it’s rather harsh to call him a “reject”. He spent 2 years there. The first year he was superb, in the 2nd year he was unhappy and didn’t perform (although he was great in the Champions League for them and that’s the best they’ve performed in that competition for many years). So it’s a bit of a myth that he was a Rangers reject. Also, he really started to take shape as a player after Rangers, when he went to Frankfurt and benefited from the German coaching. Personally I think he’s a top defender and I’m delighted to have him.

  • Daniel

    Guys, you’re right, he was average when he came but you have to take all the factors into account. He signed for us on a Thursday and made his debut that weekend. Not only was he thrown into the deep end, but he was still in pre-season with AEK at the time. Therefore he not only made a jump in the quality of the league, and had to adapt to the tempo and style, but he also wasn’t fully fit. He needed time to settle and now he has he’s been amazing. As for his time at Rangers, it’s rather harsh to call him a “reject”. He spent 2 years there. The first year he was superb, in the 2nd year he was unhappy and didn’t perform (although he was great in the Champions League for them and that’s the best they’ve performed in that competition for many years). So it’s a bit of a myth that he was a Rangers reject. Also, he really started to take shape as a player after Rangers, when he went to Frankfurt and benefited from the German coaching. Personally I think he’s a top defender and I’m delighted to have him.

  • Daniel

    Guys, you’re right, he was average when he came but you have to take all the factors into account. He signed for us on a Thursday and made his debut that weekend. Not only was he thrown into the deep end, but he was still in pre-season with AEK at the time. Therefore he not only made a jump in the quality of the league, and had to adapt to the tempo and style, but he also wasn’t fully fit. He needed time to settle and now he has he’s been amazing. As for his time at Rangers, it’s rather harsh to call him a “reject”. He spent 2 years there. The first year he was superb, in the 2nd year he was unhappy and didn’t perform (although he was great in the Champions League for them and that’s the best they’ve performed in that competition for many years). So it’s a bit of a myth that he was a Rangers reject. Also, he really started to take shape as a player after Rangers, when he went to Frankfurt and benefited from the German coaching. Personally I think he’s a top defender and I’m delighted to have him.

  • Daniel

    TassieRed I disagree with your view that Kyrgiakos would get torn apart by a quick and tricky forward. He would if he was isolated, but so would any big defender in that scenario: Tony Adams, John Terry, etc. It’s happened to them all. In a solid, and tight defence he’s proven for Greece against the likes of Spain, Turkey, and Brazil that he’s more than capable of coping

  • Daniel

    TassieRed I disagree with your view that Kyrgiakos would get torn apart by a quick and tricky forward. He would if he was isolated, but so would any big defender in that scenario: Tony Adams, John Terry, etc. It’s happened to them all. In a solid, and tight defence he’s proven for Greece against the likes of Spain, Turkey, and Brazil that he’s more than capable of coping

  • Daniel

    TassieRed I disagree with your view that Kyrgiakos would get torn apart by a quick and tricky forward. He would if he was isolated, but so would any big defender in that scenario: Tony Adams, John Terry, etc. It’s happened to them all. In a solid, and tight defence he’s proven for Greece against the likes of Spain, Turkey, and Brazil that he’s more than capable of coping

  • Daniel

    TassieRed I disagree with your view that Kyrgiakos would get torn apart by a quick and tricky forward. He would if he was isolated, but so would any big defender in that scenario: Tony Adams, John Terry, etc. It’s happened to them all. In a solid, and tight defence he’s proven for Greece against the likes of Spain, Turkey, and Brazil that he’s more than capable of coping

  • robbie9fowler

    I really like Sotorios a good honest no-nonsense defender and also the only player in our squad you would be confident about winning a header!

    He is a Spartan!

  • robbie9fowler

    I really like Sotorios a good honest no-nonsense defender and also the only player in our squad you would be confident about winning a header!

    He is a Spartan!

  • robbie9fowler

    I really like Sotorios a good honest no-nonsense defender and also the only player in our squad you would be confident about winning a header!

    He is a Spartan!

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