MICHAEL THOMAS knows just what being champions of England means to Liverpool. In the not too distant future, he hopes Andrew Robertson will have that very honour.
Thomas was famously the man that denied the Reds the title in season 1988-89 as his last minute goal won the league for Arsenal and broke the hearts of the supporters that would later chant his name. After moving to Anfield, he wouldn’t get close to the main prize in the English game.
That hasn’t diminished his fondness for the club, though, and he watches on as the current side, guided by Jurgen Klopp, look to achieve what so many haven’t for three decades now.
Just like in the days where Liverpool were regularly winning titles and trophies, there is a Scottish influence on Merseyside. Robertson could be just seven games away from a place in Anfield folklore.
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“I’m not calling it yet, although my heart says yes [Liverpool will win it],” Thomas said as he reflected on a Premier League race that has Liverpool two points clear of Manchester City having played one fixture more. “City are still favourites, they have got two squads. We will have to wait and see.
“There is a lot of pressure and being a former Liverpool player, you feel that pressure in the city. It is all the supporters want to talk about. They want to win the title. Champions League is great, but winning the league is the most important thing.
“Our rivals down the road in Manchester, that was their bread and butter. Win the league and then anything else comes second.
“Without a doubt, they will be legends for life if they win the title. But they have to do it first. You need to get into a winning habit of winning trophies.”
When Robertson made the move from Hull City to Liverpool last season, hopes were high north of the border that the left-back could go from strength to strength thanks to boss Klopp and the new surroundings in which he found himself. Those expectations have been easily surpassed.
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In a team that possesses talents such as Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, the rapport that Robertson has with the Anfield crowd speaks volumes for his importance to the team. His position may not be flashy, but his performances have been sparkling for quite some time.
The most coveted prize in the game evaded the Scotland captain last season as Liverpool missed out on Champions League glory and fell at the final hurdle against Real Madrid. Another European success would have been cherished on Merseyside, but it is the silverware that hasn’t been lifted for too long that is the ultimate ambition for Robertson and his team-mates.
“He has been fantastic since the first game that he played in,” Thomas said. “He was left out of the side, I don’t know why, but he has been fantastic since.
“Without a doubt, he has been one of the best bargains. He played at Hull and done well there, but since he has been at Liverpool he has been fantastic. Hopefully he spends many more years here.
“You can’t say [what he would cost now], I don’t know. He is a left-back, a left winger, a left midfielder, all in one. He is incredible.
“He can defend, he can attack and he gives 100 per cent all the time. For the fans, that is the most important thing, the bread and butter. He has to defend, there have been players there that haven’t been good defensively or been able to read the game and dangers.”
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