Premiership: Thompson rounds on Reds' critics

Phil Thompson insists he takes all criticism of ‘counter-attacking’ Liverpool as a compliment and he is warning his Barclaycard Premiership rivals to expect plenty more of it before the season is out.

The Reds, at West Ham tomorrow to test the top flight’s best home defensive record, endured the latest jibe over their footballing style from Aston Villa’s Paul Merson after his team’s 2-1 St Stephen's Day defeat by Thompson and Co.