Sami wants repeat of character

Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has told the club’s official web site how important it is that the Reds win every game now and stop squandering points when they shouldn’t, starting with Wednesday night’s Premier League trip to Wigan Athletic.

The Finnish international says he wants his teammates to show the same character that helped them come back from behind to beat Steve Bruce’s side in the reverse fixture at Anfield earlier in the season.

Liverpool dramatically left it late to win 3-2 that day, and Hyypia knows that if the Reds are to maintain their title challenge they must do much the same tomorrow night.

He said, “Wigan played well that day. They passed the ball well and were very aggressive in the way they closed us down. That made it more difficult for us to play. But we showed character.

“You make your own luck – if you play well, you’ll have luck on your side. And I think it evens itself out over the season.

“If you want to be a champion you have to try to win every game. We are in second place, which makes it even more important.”

The Reds take on Wigan at the JJB Stadium in a 7.45pm kick-off. Tonight, league leaders Manchester United are away at West Brom and could put the pressure on Rafa Benitez’s men by going three points clear with victory.