Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard led the tributes to defender Sami Hyypia, who will leave the club after tomorrow's final game of the season at home to Tottenham.

Hyypia, 35, will join Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year contract in the summer, ending a decade at Anfield. Gerrard said: "It is difficult to put into words how we feel about Sami. He has been fantastic for us, a colossus. He certainly deserves legendary status and he is definitely one of the best players I have ever played alongside. That is the biggest compliments I can pay Sami."

Striker Dirk Kuyt joined in the tributes, saying: "For me he is a top professional, one of the best I have ever met. Most importantly for me, Sami is also a good human being and has a good personality. I will miss him but I'm sure he will be in touch with us and Liverpool.

"It is a great achievement to play 10 years at a special club like Liverpool, especially for a foreign player, and I have a lot of respect for him. It's a shame he is leaving the club but things happen like this in football."

He has been fantastic for us, a colossus. He certainly deserves legendary status and he is definitely one of the best players I have ever played alongside.
Steven Gerrard on Hyypia

Assistant manager Sammy Lee hailed Hyypia's professional attitude and has tipped him to go into coaching once his playing days are over. "Sami is a terrific professional, a fine player," said Lee. "Under that cool exterior there is a really emotional guy and he will certainly feel that on Sunday. We will too having worked with him for so long. It will be a difficult day for him, but he knows he goes with our best wishes.

"He can be a coach in the future, he knows the game, he studies the game and he has all the characteristics to be a good coach. These days you do not get players staying very long at one club, but it is a testimony to him that he has been able to evolve as a player and last 10 years at this club.

"He can play for another couple of years. He has looked after himself and is in great condition. He is committed, a good professional. He has all the attributes to make a coach and manager, he can make the tough decisions."

Liverpool have no injury problems and need one point to be sure of runners-up spot in the Barclays Premier League.