Phil Thompson believes that one Liverpool player isn’t ‘getting the credit he deserves’ for the impact he’s making on the team.

Wataru Endo came off the bench to score the Reds’ late equaliser in their rollercoaster 4-3 win over Fulham on Sunday, his second goal for the club since his £16m move from Stuttgart in August.

While fellow summer arrivals Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have all received plenty of praise for their performances, the £50,000-per-week Japan international has had to fight harder for public recognition, starting just twice in the Premier League so far.

Speaking on talkSPORT after yesterday’s match, Thompson was eager to commend the 30-year-old for his decisive late contribution, with the former Liverpool captain stating: “Endo scored a superb goal. I don’t think he is getting the credit he deserves when he comes into it.”

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Surprising as it may seem, Endo’s goal tally for Liverpool is level with that of Szoboszlai, who plays in a more advanced position and has had almost twice as much game-time, playing 1,378 minutes to the Japan captain’s 701 (Transfermarkt).

The 30-year-old faced criticism of his performance in the Europa League defeat to Toulouse last month, when he was substituted at half-time but the Reds as a whole were dreadful that night.

The ex-Stuttgart man has been a squad player rather than a first-team regular up to now, but as we’re seeing with Caoimhin Kelleher deputising for Alisson Becker, injuries could suddenly thrust him into the starting line-up for a sequence of games.

Moments like his thunderous goal to equalise yesterday, which came at a real hour of need for Liverpool, should greatly help Endo to win over any doubters. In addition to that crucial moment, he also misplaced just two of his eight passes during his 15 minutes on the pitch (Sofascore).

Ultimately, the only man he needs to impress is Jurgen Klopp, who wouldn’t have signed the midfielder in the summer if he didn’t believe he was up to the task of playing for this Reds team.

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Phil Thompson has described the decision to give the Liverpool captaincy to Virgil van Dijk as ‘the perfect call’ from Jurgen Klopp.

The Dutchman took over the role during the summer following the departure of Jordan Henderson for Saudi Arabia, and an article for the Liverpool Echo noted how – in tandem with vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold – the centre-back is driving a change in leadership style within the Reds’ squad.

The piece mentioned how the current skipper and his deputy ‘offer a more relaxed approach’ than their predecessors Henderson and James Milner, who were ‘famed for their no-nonsense, almost headmaster-like’ demeanour.

That change of tack is ‘understood to have led to a more serene atmosphere within the ranks’ at Anfield, with Van Dijk’s ‘calming presence’ helping him to ‘command respect without the need to be overly vocal or outspoken away from the pitch’.

That approach has met with approval by Thompson, who was Liverpool’s captain when they won the European Cup in 1981.

The 69-year-old told the Liverpool Echo: “When you raise your voice [occasionally], people jump and they listen and they know what you’re talking about. If you rant and rave all the time, it doesn’t get through. You’ve got to do it at given times and that is why I think he was the perfect call after Jordan left.”

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The more relaxed approach under Van Dijk and Trent isn’t by any means a criticism of the leadership style of Henderson and Milner – indeed, those two would’ve been invaluable pillars of guidance for the current vice-captain when he was breaking through to the first team at Liverpool a few years ago.

While it took the 33-year-old’s out-of-the-blue transfer to Al Ettifaq to instigate a change in captaincy, rather than any intention by Klopp to take it off him and redistribute it, players can often appreciate hearing new voices dominate within the dressing room.

The Henderson-Milner axis led the squad for eight years, which is a long time to be tasked with carrying the roles of primary responsibility within a group.

It seems that Van Dijk and Trent have opted to go with a more sedate approach as captain and vice-captain at Liverpool, and the evidence of the season so far suggests that they’ve been justified in doing so.

Thompson is correct in saying that occasional sharp blasts from a leader command far greater attention than constant drill sergeant-esque bellowing which’d cause teammates to tune it out; and as a former Reds skipper himself, he’s perfectly placed to speak about the subject.

It definitely looks as if Klopp got it right with his choice of successors to Henderson and Milner over the summer.

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Phil Thompson believes that Liverpool’s shortened pre-season has been a contributing factor to the Reds’ drop-off during 2022/23.

Having come within two games of winning an unprecedented quadruple less than a year ago, playing every match possible along the way, Jurgen Klopp’s team now sit seventh in the Premier League and exited each cup competition before the quarter-final stage.

The Anfield legend insists that the pursuit of four trophies last term has had a knock-on effect into the current campaign, particularly given the manager’s intense style of play.

Speaking to Herald Scotland, Thompson said: “We have maybe suffered because last season we played every game that could be played. And everything was dependent on Trent and Andy getting up and down the pitch.

“The close season was then too short and the pre-season came too soon and was shortened because of the World Cup. They didn’t get enough rest. That has to be taken into account.

“Jurgen’s teams always play at a high intensity. If you play every game like that last season you need your required rest more than ever. It is one of a few reasons for our fall from form.”

READ MORE: “You just look at him and think: ‘Wow!’” – Liverpool legend dazzled by ‘quite astonishing’ Reds gem

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The shortened pre-season doesn’t fully explain why Liverpool have dropped off so drastically from the heights of 2021/22, although Thompson may have some valid points in what he’s saying.

The Reds’ marathon 63-match campaign ended on 28 May with the defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final, having battled through 16 games in eight weeks and needed to play at 100% in each one given the trophies which were at stake.

There was then a gap of just 45 days to our first pre-season friendly, which necessitated a trip to Bangkok to take on Manchester United, with the Community Shield also part of LFC’s July schedule.

Even aside from the comparatively short summer downtime, the physical and psychological toll that 2021/22 must’ve taken on the Liverpool players may well have affected them at the start of the current campaign.

At least the break between this season and next should offer greater scope for the Reds to recharge and go again to hopefully enjoy better fortune in 2023/24.

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Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has showered one of the Reds’ brightest young talents with glowing praise.

The 1981 European Cup-winning captain voiced his admiration for Ben Doak, who’s been excelling at youth level this season and even made five senior appearances under Jurgen Klopp (Transfermarkt).

In an interview with Herald Scotland, the 69-yaer-old gushed: “What do I think of Ben Doak? Oh my goodness! What a player! I have done quite a few of the youth games for LFC TV and every time I have seen him he has been outstanding.

“One of the great things about Ben is that he just loves football. He has got a wonderful attitude. But he is aggressive and for a forward that is a great attribute to have. He has also got unbelievable pace, he can provide assists and he has got goals in him.

“You just look at him and think: ‘Wow!’ He has had such a rapid rise to fame this season. He has played in the first team this season, which is quite astonishing. I just hope he has got a nice feel for it because he is a tremendous talent.”

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Thompson was a stalwart in one of the greatest periods in Liverpool’s history, playing alongside many bona fide legends along with winning seven league titles and two European Cups, so for him to speak so glowingly about Doak is quite the feather in the 17-year-old’s cap.

The praise is well merited, too, with the Scottish teenager netting 11 goals in 26 games across the Reds’ various youth teams since his arrival from Celtic last year (Transfermarkt).

Klopp hailed the youngster as a ‘natural force’ during an impressive display in a first team friendly during the World Cup break last winter (Liverpool Echo), and for an under-18s player to be entrusted with exposure to the Premier League speaks volumes for his talent.

Doak came off the bench twice in top-flight games earlier in the season, appearing for almost a quarter of the defeat to Brighton in January (Transfermarkt).

At just 17, and with Liverpool boasting a plethora of high-quality forwards, the Scot will probably need to be patient in terms of a genuine senior breakthrough at Anfield.

However, his trajectory over the last 12 months suggests that he could have a significant part to play in pre-season during the summer, a time when he might further justify Thompson’s words.

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Phil Thompson has admitted he’s ‘not really surprised’ at Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his latest England squad.

The Scouser, who went to the Qatar World Cup with the Three Lions back in December, has struggled for form at club level this season.

“I’m not really surprised about Trent being omitted from the squad,” Thompson told the Daily Star. “Reece James was fit, along with Kieran Trippier.

“James had returned back from a long-term injury and Trippier is coming back into a bit of form. Trent hasn’t been great since the World Cup – his absence wasn’t a big shock really.”

READ MORE: Ex-PL defender tells Liverpool they have ‘one of the best’ players in the world in his position

Arsenal’s Ben White, meanwhile, has been a solid performer for Mikel Arteta’s side this term and his displays have helped the Gunners to a eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League at the moment.

He too was omitted from Southgate’s latest squad, however, with Thompson admitting that decision did leave him somewhat bemused.

“It is a strange one,” added the ex-Red. “I don’t know what has happened, but he’s had a fantastic season for Arsenal.

“White is a great player and he’s been part of that wonderful run that they’ve been on. That decision was a little bit more of a surprise but maybe there’s more to come.”

Many of Jurgen Klopp’s squad have struggled for consistency this season and Alexander-Arnold’s defensive performances in particular have been criticised regularly.

Some Liverpool supporters would like to see the Academy graduate trialled in a midfield role, but so far that is an idea that our German tactician seems to oppose.

Southgate did play the 24-year-old in the middle of the park during an England game two years ago – but the experiment only lasted 45 minutes before he was returned to his usual spot at right back.

His future may certainly lie in midfield but for now he just needs to keep working hard and hopefully be involved in the next England squad in June.

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Phil Thompson has urged Liverpool supporters to not get too excited about the potential signing of Jude Bellingham in the summer and warned if the England international doesn’t head to Anfield at the end of the season it ‘could be the biggest let down’ for Reds fans.

Jurgen Klopp has reportedly made the 19-year-old his number one transfer target but the Merseysiders face competition for the dynamic midfielder’s signature from the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid.

The Liverpool legend doesn’t seem too optimistic about his former club completing a deal, however, and instead was keen to sound a note of caution.

“All Liverpool fans, everybody, thinks that Jude Bellingham is going to sign and I’ve tried to tell a number of people,” Thompson told American radio station Sirius XM FC (via TEAMTALK).

“I do Q and A’s at Anfield and you ask 50 people in the room ‘who thinks Jude Bellingham is coming to Liverpool?’ and 48 of them will put their hands up.

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“But you’ve got to get it out your minds. This could be the biggest let down for all Liverpool fans that this is [happening].

“[They think] Because he is mates with Trent [Alexander-Arnold], because he is mates with Jordan Henderson, people think it’s going to happen.”

The former Red was keen to insist that Klopp’s midfield must be strengthened in the summer – admitting that a Bellingham ‘sort of player’ is needed.

He went on to name two players that should be targeted if a move for the Borussia Dortmund star doesn’t come to fruition including Chelsea’s Mason Mount, a player that has been linked with a move to L4 in recent weeks.

“We need that sort of player,” he added.

“But [if he doesn’t sign], we can then put that money to Declan Rice. Whether he would come from London or not, I don’t know.

“He would be another one [to target]. But we don’t just need one. We need a couple of players. There’s been talk of Mason Mount. Yes. He’s 25, 26. He’s creative and he gives you goals from midfield which we’ve lacked.”

The Scouser went on to say: “That area does need refreshing.”

It’s understandable as to why Thompson is keen to adopt a cautious mindset regarding our Bellingham pursuit because other clubs will also fancy their chances.

If the dreaded news does arrive that the Dortmund No. 22 has opted for a move elsewhere, it’s imperative that we already have a plan B lined up.

We’ve struggled for consistency this season and that is reflected by our current position in the Premier League table.

A busy summer of transfer activity is needed at the club to ensure we’re back competing on all four fronts next term.

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Phil Thompson has urged Liverpool to consider a move for Declan Rice if they’re unable to obtain Jude Bellingham this summer.

While the Reds have been strongly linked with the Borussia Dortmund starlet, some reports have quoted a mammoth asking price of £130m (Eurosport).

His England teammate may also cost a premium, albeit a less eye-watering £80m (football.london), and the former Reds captain believes the Anfield hierarchy ought to be exploring a move for the West Ham star.

Speaking on OTB AM (via Off the Ball on YouTube), Thompson said: “There are others out there if Bellingham wasn’t available. We need to have our hat in the ring for Declan Rice.

“If Declan is that unhappy then he’s another player who I think is a good player and with the right attitude, with what would constitute to a Liverpool player and that would all sort of fit the bill.”

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If our lengthy pursuit of the Dortmund midfielder ultimately comes to nothing, then Rice could be a name at least worthy of consideration.

He’d at least be cheaper than Bellingham, while he boasts ample top-level experience for his age, closing in on 200 Premier League appearances not long after his 24th birthday (Transfermarkt).

He’s also gone on record to state his desire to play in the Champions League (The Guardian), something Liverpool still have a plausible chance of being able to offer him next season.

That factor could make a Merseyside move easier to sell to Rice, who unlike his England colleague has never played in Europe’s premier club competition, while West Ham’s current struggles could also make it easier to entice the £60,000-per-week (as per FBref) midfielder.

Bellingham should still be FSG’s priority for the summer transfer window, but alternatives will be needed if that pursuit proves fruitless, and his international teammate could be a viable candidate.

You can view Thompson’s comments from OTB AM (from 8:20) in full below (via Off The Ball on YouTube):

The post ‘We need to…’ – Phil Thompson urges Liverpool to consider £60k-p/w star who’d ‘fit the bill’ appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool have announced the arrival of Darwin Nunez and it has excited several ex-players, as much as it has our supporters.

Taking to his Twitter account, Phil Thompson wrote: ‘Welcome Darwin,you know you have joined a big club but believe me you don’t realise just how big it really is YNWA’.

It’s a great message from the 68-year-old and shows how delighted everyone attached to the club is with the signing of the Uruguayan this summer.

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Many outside the city or country won’t realise how all-consuming this football club is and a certain 22-year-old is about to receive some first-hand experience.

Given that he has signed a six-year deal with the Reds too, the new No.27 is here to stay and is expected to learn very quickly about how big the club is.

The former Benfica man can enjoy a couple of weeks break before his Merseyside journey begins for real and then the whirlwind will begin.

You can view the messaged to Nunez from @Phil_Thompson4 on Twitter:

Welcome Darwin,you know you have joined a big club but believe me you don’t realise just how big it really is YNWA

— Phil Thompson (@Phil_Thompson4) June 14, 2022

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Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson has took to his Twitter account to celebrate after the Reds booked their spot in this season’s Champions League final with Real Madrid.

The game will take place in Paris, rather than in the original host city Saint Petersburg, as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and UEFA cutting ties with Vladimir Putin’s nation.

Thompson lifted Liverpool’s third European Cup back in 1981 against Los Blancos in the French capital, and because of this, the 68-year-old sent a post out to his 272,000 followers.

The 68-year-old said: “Liverpool v Real Madrid in Paris you say? I feel like I’ve done that one before…  Come on red men! ”

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Alan Kennedy scored the only goal of the game at the Parc Des Princes back in May 1981, and we’re hoping for the same outcome this time around.

We were defeated by the La Liga giants in Kyiv In 2018, and as Mo Salah has recently pointed out, ‘we have a score to settle’.

Since that difficult day in the Ukrainian capital, we’ve become a more experienced outfit and have won five trophies as a group, including the Champions League the following year and a Premier League title.

We’re certainly looking forward to the clash at the end of the month, but before then, we have four huge league games and a FA Cup final to play.

You can see Tommo’s tweet below via his Twitter account.

Liverpool v Real Madrid in Paris you say?
I feel like I’ve done that one before…

Come on red men! pic.twitter.com/vvSf9PNWtN

— Phil Thompson (@Phil_Thompson4) May 5, 2022

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Liverpool fans are in the unique position of selecting which of the three remaining trophies we would like to win most and Phil Thompson has had his say.

Speaking on Off The Ball, our former captain and assistant manager said: “If there’s a preference, I would love to win the league.

“The league is the bread and butter and I want to see us win it in front of a packed Anfield, that would be wonderful.

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“If there’s one club in the English league that could win the quadruple, it is Liverpool football club”.

It’s amazing to have just six weeks of the season remaining and be in a position where we can win a quadruple, something that should be fully appreciated.

However, it’s human nature to pick what we’d want to win most and that’s something that all fans would have done over the past few months.

There aren’t many teams across Europe that wouldn’t pick the Champions League but we’ve got some unfinished business with the Premier League.

Best way to solve all these moral dilemmas is to just go and win all four, please!

You can view Thompson’s thoughts on his trophy preferences (at 6:15) via Off The Ball on YouTube:

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Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has expressed his admiration for Ibrahima Konate after the 22-year-old put in yet another solid display for the Reds lastnight.

The former RB Leipzig man started alongside Joel Matip in a much-changed side to the one that earned a point against Manchester City last weekend.

The big Frenchman opened the scoring for the Reds against Benfica at Anfield, as he did a week ago in Lisbon in the first leg, and is beginning to look the part in a red shirt, something Thompson was keen to explain.

“Konate is looking like an absolute dream,” the 68-year-old told Off The Ball (via HITC).

“He’s a wonderful player, so there are no problems making these changes.”

Konate moved to Merseyside from the German club at the beginning of the season and has found himself behind Matip in the pecking order to partner Virgil van Dijk for most of the season.

The Paris born defender has still made 21 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side this term and now has two goals in his last two games.

READ MORE: De Bruyne & Walker ruled out of Liverpool FA Cup clash in massive injury blow; Belgian may miss two PL games – RMC Sport

Thompson isn’t the only one to be praising Konate for his showing in the 3-3 draw against the Portuguese outfit.

Martin Keown has also admitted his joy at watching him play; labelling him ‘physically dominant’.

The central defender is tall, strong and full of pace – three key characteristics that mean he has the potential to succeed at Anfield.

With the high defensive line that we’ve adopted this season, his speed can be vital in stifling any attacks from the opposition and preventing them from testing Alisson Becker in goal.

Although we did concede three goals to Benfica last night, seven changes had been made from the side that started our game last time out at the Etihad.

It was clear that there was a slight lack of fluidity in the team but it was great to see players such as Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez and Luis Diaz earn minutes from the start.

It’ll be interesting to see who Klopp selects to partner van Dijk on Saturday at Wembley when we face City in the FA Cup semi-final – we now have numerous options in the central defensive area which is great to see.

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Phil Thompson has admitted that he’s worried by the prospect of losing Mo Salah as the Egyptian King’s contract saga at Liverpool continues.

Although recent reports are suggesting that the 29-year-old is ready to make a compromise and extend his stay on Merseyside, Thompson has claimed that everyone associated with the club is ‘nervous’ about the situation.

“I think we are all nervous, and I think we are all sitting there nervous,” Thompson told the Liverpool Echo (via Metro).

“The fella scores that many goals for us, he performs to a high level and he doesn’t miss many games, which is massive.

For now, though, the Egyptian needs to remain focused on ensuring we finish the season with as much silverware as possible.

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Phil Thompson has insisted that Liverpool shouldn’t discount the option of assistant boss Pep Lijnders when considering potential candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp.

The German’s current terms are set to expire in the summer of 2024, with it currently appearing likely that the coach won’t extend his stay.

“He shouldn’t be discounted when [Klopp’s departure] happens,” the former defender told the Echo (via Football365).

“Yes, if Steven comes I would be delighted. But if Pep Lijnders was to take it then he would get Jurgen’s blessing.

“I would do that because you see he has got that fiery character the way Jurgen can be. He is also a very good coach.”

The Dutchman is highly-rated by the former Mainz boss who is said to enjoy a stellar relationship with the club’s owners, FSG, as well as the playing staff.

The 68-year-old did admit, however, that the potential draw of Steven Gerrard could very well make life difficult for the club’s recruitment team when picking a successor.

“Obviously Jurgen was at Mainz, was at Dortmund, and then came through. Steven has gone in at Rangers, which is a massive club. Then he has gone to Villa, and you can see the changes that he has done, bringing in the players that he has done,” Thompson added. “[The signing of] Philippe Coutinho is because it is Steven Gerrard. Players will always want to come and play for him, which will be a big draw at Liverpool.”

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With us looking inwards to replace Michael Edwards as sporting director, it raises questions as to why Liverpool can’t follow a similar path with the manager’s role.

In line with the themes of sustainability, continuing a long-term vision and promotion from within, handing over the reins to the 39-year-old would make a marked amount of sense.

There is the lack of experience at the top level to consider, of course, though Klopp’s trust in his No.2 – such to an extent that the former NEC Nijmegen manager is often left to lead training sessions and encouraged to share tactical ideas – suggests we shouldn’t count him out too soon.

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The post Ex-Red says 39-year-old coach could replace Klopp and ‘shouldn’t be discounted’ despite the draw of Steven Gerrard appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Phil Thompson has suggested that Liverpool’s best midfield combination is comprised of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and James Milner.

The former centre-half suggested that Thiago Alcantara would need time to make an impact on the pitch following a return from injury.

“Well, the best functioning three at this moment in time, if they’re fit… if you get the likes of James Milner (I know he’s a lot older) and Henderson – those two on both sides of Fabinho in the centre,” the ex-Red told Off The Ball.

“Because Fabinho does get that protection to the back two and the energy of the other two [midfielders] can go about and set patterns and closing down.

“I always feel at the moment that’s Liverpool’s best three.

“You’d be amazed because you’re saying no Thiago in there. I don’t think he dictates things from what I’ve seen of him at Liverpool. It takes him maybe five or six games before he’s actually up to speed when he comes back in games.”

With James Milner still recovering from injury, it’s unlikely Jurgen Klopp will see the veteran Englishman back in action in time for the hosting of Arsenal at Anfield.

READ MORE: Arsenal handed potential double injury boost ahead of Liverpool clash in official update

Having previously examined the statistics around our midfielders’ suitability to filling the gap left by Gini Wijnaldum’s departure, it’s arguably clear that one of Naby Keita, Curtis Jones or James Milner would be better suited to the challenge than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Our midfield has looked a little too easy to play against at times without the right mix of guile and energy in the middle of the park to encourage forward play whilst offering sufficient cover to the backline.

We’ve no doubt this will be a concern that Klopp and his coaching staff will have discussed over the course of the international break, however, and we’ll be looking forward to see what they come up with tomorrow.

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Phil Thompson was giving his verdict on LFCTV on yesterday’s 2-2 draw at home to Brighton, bemoaning a disappointing second-half.

The former Liverpool captain was unhappy with Liverpool’s second-half performance and had plenty of points to make regarding the display.

Speaking with the club’s TV channel, alongside Jason McAteer and Peter McDowall, the 67-year-old said: “I thought it [the second-half performance] was too slow, not enough movement off the ball, diagonals that we use to turn the opposition weren’t happening.

“Everybody was too passive … during the second-half you actually got more nervous that we were going to lose it.

“I just don’t think there was enough positivity about the boys in the second-half … and if anything we got sloppy”.

There were certainly a fair amount of areas to improve upon, when looking back at the game, and we can be confident that Jurgen Klopp will be ensuring the players are aware of that.

Attention turns to Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Atletico at Anfield, where a better performance will be needed.

You can watch the full post-match analysis via LFCTV:

The post (Video) Phil Thompson on a ‘passive’ and ‘sloppy’ second-half performance against Brighton that lacked ‘positivity’ appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.