Phil Thompson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Thompson was born in Kirkby, Lancashire, and was a Liverpool supporter, who stood on The Kop as a boy. He signed as a professional for the club on 22 January 1971, the day after his 17th birthday. He made his first team debut the following year against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford. With Liverpool 2–0 up in the 81st minute Shankly took off John Toshack, replacing him with the 18-year-old defender. The move was intended to tighten up the defence and keep a clean-sheet, but three minutes later, Emlyn Hughes scored a goal for Liverpool. In 1973, Liverpool won a double haul of trophies—the League championship and UEFA Cup—and Thompson played a role in both successes. The next season led to him displacing Larry Lloyd from the side altogether and pushed Tommy Smith across to full back, and he settled into a defensive partnership with club captain Hughes. Thompson man-marked Malcolm Macdonald out of the game as Liverpool defeated Newcastle United 3–0 in the 1974 FA Cup Final. Thompson remained a major part of the team which, again, won the League and UEFA Cup double in 1976. Liverpool's most productive season followed in 1977. Although Thompson played enough games to guarantee a medal when Liverpool retained the title, he suffered an injury which denied him a role in the exciting charge towards a unique treble, as Liverpool reached the finals of both the FA Cup and European Cup. The veteran Smith took Thompson's place; while Liverpool lost the 1977 FA Cup Final to Manchester United, they won their first European Cup a few days later in Rome by defeating Borussia Mönchengladbach. Thompson recovered from his injury and returned to the defence the following season, scoring a goal in Liverpool's victory over Hamburg in the 1977 UEFA Super Cup final. Liverpool reached their first League Cup final at Wembley and after a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest, the game went to a replay. It was a disappointing evening for Thompson, who committed the foul on Forest midfielder John O'Hare that led to the penalty that won the game for Brian Clough's team. Replays appeared to show that the foul took place outside the penalty area. Liverpool also surrendered the League title to Forest, but retained the European Cup with a win over FC Bruges, a game in which Thompson this time played. Thompson was accompanied by a new central defensive partner in Alan Hansen as Liver

In Their Own Story

The 1977–78 season was a mix of triumph and heartbreak for Thompson. After recovering from injury, he scored in the UEFA Super Cup victory over Hamburg. However, at Wembley in the League Cup replay against Nottingham Forest, disaster struck. Thompson committed a foul on John O'Hare that led to the penalty winning the game for Brian Clough's men; replays suggested the infraction occurred outside the box. While Liverpool surrendered the league title, they retained the European Cup against FC Bruges with Thompson playing. The following year, he captained the side as Bob Paisley handed the armband to Graeme Souness in 1982 due to a dip in form. Despite losing the captaincy, he won further title medals in 1982 and 1983 but missed the 1983 League Cup final through injury. By 1984, with Hansen paired with Mark Lawrenson, Thompson's opportunities dwindled, leaving him without a medal as Liverpool completed the treble.

Reader's Guide

Thompson is a former Liverpool defender and England international who later served as assistant manager and caretaker manager at Liverpool. He was a Sky Sports pundit for 22 years until 2020.

Did You Know?

• Thompson captained England on six occasions.
• He scored his only England goal in a friendly against Italy in New York in 1976.
• He was caretaker manager of Liverpool for six months during the 2001–02 season while Gérard Houllier was ill.
• Thompson lifted the European Cup as Liverpool captain in 1981.