Liverpool (3) Vs Tottenham (1) – 24th May 2009 (video highlights)
Liverpool ended their season with another win that saw Sami Hyypia come on as a late substitute and take the captain’s armband for his last game for the club. It was an emotional farewell for the Liverpool legend.
It was business as usual on the pitch with Torres opening the scoring with a deft header after 31 minutes. It was his 50th goal for the club, and was notable by the fact that he has taken fewer games than previous Anfield legends to reach that number.
Liverpool remained industrious in the second half and two more goals followed from Kuyt and Benayoun, with Gerrard also coming close during the game. Ex-Liverpool striker Robbie Keane managed to grab one goal back for Spurs in the 77th minute.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
“I was trying to keep Sami [Hyppia] on the bench until the last minute but I couldn’t because the fans were pushing me. Working with Sami for five years I know he is a fantastic professional and hopefully he will do the same in Germany and then come back to us.
“Clearly he will have a position with us in two or three years if we’re still here. But it’s a little bit emotional and a little bit sad today.
“We knew it was important for the fans that we finished the season really well. When it’s the last game it’s difficult to keep working hard but I was impressed with [Javier] Mascherano who just kept running.”
Video highlights of Liverpool (3) Vs Tottenham (1), 24th May 2009:
Teams:
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt (Riera 66), Gerrard (Hyypia 84), Benayoun, Torres (Ngog 78).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Lucas, Insua, Degen.
Goals: Torres 31, Hutton 64 og, Benayoun 81.
Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton, Corluka, King, Assou-Ekotto, Modric, Zokora, Jenas (Bentley 40), Bale (Bent 78), Defoe (Pavlyuchenko 70), Keane.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Gunter, Campbell, Chimbonda.
Booked: Corluka.
Goals: Keane 77.
Att: 43,937
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)
