Sami Hyypia the best signing of Gerard Houllier's Liverpool FC era

When you consider what the club paid for him and what he has achieved over the past decade it really is remarkable.

He has given 10 years of exceptional service and the tears at the end of Sunday's game proved just what the club means to him.

I know from experience that leaving a club like Liverpool takes a lot of getting used to.

You don't realise until it's over what a massive part of your life the club is and Sami will need time to adjust.

It would have been nice if he had started the game or got a bit more time on the pitch against Spurs, but Rafa Benitez had obviously decided there was no room for sentiment.

When he did get on towards the end the supporters left him in no doubt just how much he means to them.

It was a special moment and reward for the loyalty he has shown.

Loyalty is something in short supply in football these days but Sami's commitment has never been questioned and he has given the club so much.

If you are talking about dedication and passion for Liverpool I'd put him right up there alongside Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Leaving Liverpool was a big decision but one he felt he had to make if he wanted to keep playing regularly. I'm just glad he's going abroad

As for Sunday's game, it was important to finish on a high.

There was a real desire to sign off with a win in front of the home supporters and that was great to see.

There's been a big improvement from the previous year and the way we have finished bodes really well for the next campaign.

Providing the manager is able to make the necessary additions to his squad this summer then we should be more than capable of going a place higher next season.

Tevez just the job for Reds

THERE'S no doubt Liverpool need two or three new signings this summer to strengthen the squad.

I don't think anyone has made either of the positions on the left hand side their own.

We also need a different option up front as we've relied on Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard too much.

Ryan Babel and David Ngog haven't proved they are capable of producing the goods on a regular basis so Rafa Benitez needs to bring someone else in.

I would love to see Carlos Tevez at Anfield next season and I think he would fit in really well.

There is also talk of David Silva or David Villa being up for sale as Valencia have got financial problems.

Securing the services of any one of those three players would be a massive boost.

Why Xabi must stay

XABI ALONSO's future has been the subject of much speculation but I really hope he stays at Anfield.

I know the club is very close to his heart and he would be a big loss if he left.

I've heard some people suggest we might need to sell Alonso to raise cash for signings but that makes no sense.

If you are going to replace Alonso with a better player then you would have to spend a lot more money than Liverpool would be able to raise by selling him.

We might get £14m or £15m for him but who could we buy for that money who would do a better job?

Here's to a five-star show

I'M off to Rome for tomorrow night's Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.

I've been invited by UEFA and I'll be pulling on my boots for a special five-a-side match in the Fans Zone in the afternoon.

I'll be playing for the All Stars alongside the likes of Michael Laudrup, Ruud Gullit and Rudi Voller against an Italian team which includes Bruno Conti and Roberto Baggio.

I accepted the invitation a while back when I was hoping Liverpool would be in the final.

Things didn't work out quite as I hoped and it's fair to say I'm expecting a bit of stick from the United fans.