Liverpool set sights on second place

Liverpool's Premier League sideshow tonight could produce a major psychological boost, claims defiant Phil Thompson.

Already out of the championship race, Liverpool will stage a Premiership clash with Blackburn that will be totally overshadowed by the title war going on a few miles along the M62 as Manchester United and Arsenal fight it out.

But assistant boss Thompson has a curt, single-minded approach to the final days of the Premiership season, and a theory that runners-up spot would be a significant feather in Liverpool’s cap.

It does not come naturally for Thompson, or Liverpool, to be happy with second best. Asked what he thought about Arsenal’s potential double, Gerard Houllier’s number two could barely get the words out, they hurt so much: ‘‘I’m pleased for them!

‘‘I’m not bothered about the others, Arsenal and Manchester United. I’m only concentrating on ourselves and finishing second.

‘‘It’s very important that we finish second. It’s another psychological boost for everyone here. We finished third last season so it’s something we want to underline the improvement in the squad.

‘‘It would mean we would not need to go into the qualifying stages of the Champions League if we finished second.

‘‘That is something we had to do last season, and if we avoid it that will also show our improvement. Second is what we are looking for.’’

For Liverpool to finish runners-up, Arsenal will have to win at Old Trafford tonight, and the Anfield men must win their last two home games, Blackburn first and then Ipswich on Saturday.

Thompson clings onto that hope, to give the club the boost it needs to head for the summer and the accepted rebuilding of the squad that is about to take place.

Liverpool are involved in ongoing talks to secure the services of Nicolas Anelka and his countryman Bruno Cheyrou, while they are also trailing Brett Emerton.

Thompson said: ‘‘Other arrivals may come. We have people in mind but sometimes you can’t get them. We are happy with the players we have got, but if people are not happy here, that’s another thing.

‘‘We will be looking to keep most of our squad, we are happy with them, but we do know it needs strengthening.’’

Thompson insisted that Nick Barmby ‘‘will be wanted for next season’’ despite continuing transfer speculation, and added: ‘‘We are looking all the time to improve the squad. We have stressed we are not the finished article.’’

Former Liverpool boss Graeme Souness’ side will not want to help Liverpool towards their aims even though they are now safe from the drop with little to play for.

Thompson said: ‘‘Blackburn have done very well, consolidating their position.

‘‘They won’t have been very happy to have been in the relegation issue but they are one of those sides you can genuinely say are in a false position.

‘‘They will be pleased with winning the Worthington Cup and will be looking to strengthen in the summer.’’

Liverpool will have Steven Gerrard back tonight, with Thompson insisting that despite there being no trophies like last season’s treble, the club has moved forward.

He said: ‘‘We can take from this season that we have made improvement. We had a fine run in the Champions League - even if people said Bayer Leverkusen were a poor team when they beat us. When they beat Manchester United they were suddenly a good team!

‘‘We knew they were quality and we did exceptionally well. We were pleased with that and the improvement and consistency level has been better than last season.

‘‘Everybody would say that we have done well. There may not be a trophy at the end of it all this time, but it is the improvement in our squad, with giant strides for this club even if we know there is still a distance to go.’’