Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson admits he tried to bring Sami Hyypia back to Anfield this summer.
Hodgson says Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard will retain integral roles at the club long after their playing careers have ended. Hodgson also wanted Hyypia to return to Anfield in a coaching capacity this summer but was unable to convince Bayer Leverkusen to release the Finnish defender.
He added: "I can see players like Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard never leaving Liverpool Football Club. I can see them always being part of the club. In the same way I'm a bit disappointed that my attempts to bring Sami Hyypia back failed. It only failed because he's so important to Bayer Leverkusen. We couldn't get him out of his contract. He's one I would also put in the Jamie Carragher-Steven Gerrard mould, Liverpool for life.
"Unfortunately he was let go at the end of the season before last and we can't get him back. He's too valuable to them."
