Phil Thompson on tomorrow nights vital CL clash

By Craig McWalter
March 18 2002

Phil Thompson is ingoring the doubters and reckons Liverpool's clash with Champions League Group B leaders Roma "could be the making of" his side.

Thompson said "The way things lie in our group, this game is of vital importance. It could be the making of this team," said Thompson. The Reds will make a late fitness check on Michael Owen, who is again troubled by an injured hamstring. Dietmar Hamann will definitely miss out as he is suspended.

"Michael trained yesterday, he is training today and we will wait and see tomorrow," said Thompson. The caretaker-boss revealed that Gerard Houllier, who is still recovering from heart surgery, will address the players before the game.

"Gerard is having a lot of input," said Thompson. "He will give the players a pep-talk as he has done in the last couple of games he's been to.

"He's playing a bigger part in it all and as you've seen he's been on the training pitch. The phone calls have got less. It is great to have him here and his presence has given the players a bit of a boost."

Thompson insists that his players have to be focused on the job in hand and not worry about what is happening in Istanbul.

"I think the fans will be aware of what is happening in Turkey but we have to keep our own house in order and make sure we win," he said."We can't determine what goes on elsewhere. It could go down to corner kicks this group is so even.

"It's a shame we are going into it with Roma, a team I tipped to win the Champions League. Now we are looking like the team to put them out, "Thompson added: "The players will be truly motivated. We can't go gung-ho, we have to be clever. We don't want to leave the back door open.

"If you desire something badly enough, you go and get it. These players in the past have shown how badly they want it.