[JRedknapp11]

The best defender in the EPL speaks....

From Daily Express , Uk Newspaper....

Liverpool captain Sami Hyypia leads last season's English Premiership runners-up into the new term confident the Anfield club can go one better.

And that is despite a lacklustre display in the 1-0 Community Shield defeat by reigning double-holders Arsenal earlier this month.

But the Finland defender remains upbeat ahead of Liverpool's opening league fixture away to Aston Villa on Sunday.

"As a footballer you always want improve on last year. Our position last year was second so now we must aim to be first. I believe we can do it," Hyypia said Saturday.

"We have had a hard pre-season and now we are looking forward to the league.

"The spirit in the squad is good. The new boys have adapted very well and everyone has taken them in right away. It seems like they have been here a long time."

Last season was a fallow time for Liverpool after their trophy-laden run of the previous campaign but Hyypia insisted that finishing runners-up to Arsenal was a greater achievement than lifting five cups.

"The five trophies meant a great season but I have always felt cup competitions are one-off games. You can have a bad day and miss out, but in the league it's a question of who can be best through a season.

"Winning the Premiership is much harder as you have to be consistent on a long-term basis."

As well as Arsenal and Manchester United, Hyypia believes that Liverpool will face competition for the Premiership title from Chelsea, Leeds, Newcastle and even newly promoted Manchester City.

He said: "Last season Newcastle were the surprise package and they have strengthened well in the summer.

"Chelsea have always been difficult opponents for us but somehow they haven't been getting the sort of results they get against us when they play other teams - but they can't be dismissed.

"Leeds are always going to be a danger and I believe Manchester City could surprise a few people. They have an impressive team now and Kevin Keegan has done a good job for them.

"And when we do get to face City it will be interesting to play against our team-mate from last season, Nicolas Anelka. I think he's a quality striker and it will be pretty hard to keep him quiet."