Premiership: Thompson has a free hand

Phil Thompson admits that he has been given a free hand by Gerard Houllier as he prepares for tomorrow’s Champions League crunch in Kiev.

Minutes after Liverpool’s plane touched down in the Ukraine after a three-hour flight leaving their manager in hospital after a six-hour operation following his heart scare the previous day - Thompson made it clear that he was in full command for the crucial showdown with Dynamo Kiev.

Assistant manager Thompson visited Houllier in Broadgreen hospital before his operation on Saturday evening, and confirmed that although the French coach had wanted to know all about the 1-1 draw with Leeds and the day’s Premiership results, he pointedly didn’t discuss the Kiev game or give Thompson any instructions.

Thompson has been put in caretaker control of Liverpool after Houllier was taken ill during the tussle with Leeds at Anfield on Saturday morning.

After surgery to repair damage to his aorta, Houllier could well be out of action for several months rather than the several weeks the club are sticking to.

So Thompson can expect an extended stay in command. But he clearly has a free hand against Kiev, with Houllier opting not to interfere from his hospital bed.

Thompson said: ‘‘We did not discuss this game, and he has left me with a free hand.’’

Thompson does not have injured stars Dietmar Hamann, Michael Owen, Markus Babbel, Igor Biscan and Gregory Vignal for a game that could have a major impact on the outcome of group B.

‘‘When I saw him in hospital, Gerard was asking about how the game had gone, asking what substitutions I had made, and how it all went,’’ said Thompson.

‘‘He was very positive, he was talking away to us even though he was not 100%. It was typical of Gerard, he wanted to know what the other results were.’’

Liverpool’s stars met up at their Mellwood training ground before yesterday’s flight, and Thompson reckoned they were in a defiant mood.

He said: ‘‘We have had a chat with the players before we left, not just players but all the staff, and we said that what Gerard would want us to be is very focused on this one game, and not to think too far ahead.

‘‘We must do the right things, the things he has been striving for since he has been at Liverpool and we don’t want any slip-ups.

‘‘This game is absolutely vital and everything else will follow on from there. It’s a big game and we are all looking forward to it.’’

Thompson accepts his first game in charge will be a very tough task, and added: ‘‘Dynamo Kiev are a very good European team.

‘‘They have played a lot more Champions League than we have and they can counter-attack very, very quickly so we know we must be really on our game from the start.

‘‘We are expecting a difficult game, certainly more difficult than it was at Anfield.

‘‘They will fancy their chances, but from the way the lads have been reacting, so will we.’’