Hyypia demands fourth place

Defender determined to seal Champions League spot

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 25th February 2008

Hyypia Sami

Hyypia: Relieved after win

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Sami Hyypia has admitted that fourth place is the 'minimum requirement' for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.

The Reds secured a 2-0 victory over Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League last week but failed to repeat the performance against Middlesbrough at the weekend and only won 3-2 thanks to a superb hat-trick from Fernando Torres.

Hyypia was relieved to pick up three points and is now looking for an improved display in Sunday's game against Bolton.

Liverpool are likely to be back outside the top four by the time they travel to The Reebok Stadium but Hyypia is still confident of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

"Everyone can smile now we've got the three points, but the game didn't go as we planned but in the end the result was right," Hyypia told the Liverpool Daily Post.

Target

"Bolton's not an easy place to go to, but if we get three points there we'll be on target for fourth place which is the minimum requirement.

"All the Bolton games have been bruising games in my experience - after them you're bruised all over - but so long as we get the three points it doesn't matter."

Hyypia was partnered by Alvaro Arbeloa in central defence against Boro, with Jamie Carragher suspended and Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger recovering from injury.

The Finland international said: "It's not been a settled back four all season, but with all the injuries we've had it's not always been easy to have a regular back four.

"But if the defence was the same all season there would probably be four very unhappy players who wouldn't play at all."