Hyypia: We have a 'secret weapon'

While Gerard Houllier will be concerned by the long-term absence of Didi Hamann, the injury problems of Salif Diao and the one-match suspension to be served by the hugely influential Steven Gerrard, Hyypia insists that the fearsome team spirit at Anfield will prove hugely important as the season progresses.

"I am very positive we can do it because the team spirit is something we call our secret weapon," revealed the Finnish defender.

"We will be much better and much stronger. It was just a chain of bad luck which harmed us last season. Injuries stooped us challenging at the top.

"But we still kept our spirit. I guarantee we'll be very hard to beat."