Phil Thompson

Liverpool

Thompson was born in Kirkby, Lancashire, and was a Liverpool supporter, who stood on The Kop as a boy. His dreams came true when 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 earning league and UEFA Cup medals in the process. 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.…

Thompson played 42 matches for England between 1976 and 1982, the 22-year-old's debut coming on 24 March in a 2–1 win over Wales in a friendly at the Racecourse Ground at Wrexham. During a summer mini-tournament held in the United States on 28 May 1976, Thompson scored his one and only goal for England in a friendly match against Italy in New York.

Club

International

As a player

Liverpool

Football League First Division: 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83 FA Cup: 1973–74 Football League Cup: 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83 FA Charity Shield: 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982 European Cup: 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81 UEFA Cup: 1972–73, 1975–76 European Super Cup: 1977

As a manager

Individual

Premier League Manager of the Month: November 2001, March 2002