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Liverpool made a slow start to the 1981-82 season, winning only three of
their first 11 League games and struggling to find their usual form.
After ending the year in mid-table following a 3-1 home defeat by
Manchester City on Boxing Day, 1981, manager Bob Paisley saw the need
for changes and, judging that Phil's captaincy of the side was having a
negative effect on his performances, made the controversial decision to
give the captain's armband to Graeme Souness. Thommo kept his place in
the team but, after playing the first 19 League games of the season, he
was dropped after Liverpool laboured to a 2-1 home win against Wolves on
January 16th. After missing eight games, he played the last 15 games of
the League campaign, helping Liverpool wrap up a record 13th title as
they won 12 and drew three of these matches. This made it two trophies
for the season as the Reds had earlier retained the League Cup (now
called the Milk Cup) with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham at Wembley on
March 13th. Thommo had shaken off the loss off the captaincy and added
two more medals to his already impressive collection. On the
international front, Phil travelled to Spain as part of England's World
Cup squad and played every minute of a campaign which saw them concede
just one goal in five games. Ultimately though, despite remaining
undefeated throughout the tournament, England suffered a disappointing
2nd round exit following draws against West Germany and Spain.
In
contrast to the previous campaign, Liverpool started the 1982-83 season
brightly, going unbeaten in their first seven matches, Mark Lawrenson
partnering Thommo in central defence in the absence of the injured Alan
Hansen. Phil started the first 18 League games but was injured during a
3-1 home win against Watford in December 11th, and was in and out of the
team for the rest of the season. He ended up with 24 League
appearances, which was enough for yet another championship medal,
Liverpool retaining the title comfortably as they finished 11 points
ahead of surprise runners-up Watford. The Reds had also won the League
Cup/Milk Cup for the third season in a row, beating Manchester United
2-1 at Wembley on March 26th, although Phil missed that game. He made a
total of 34 appearances that term but, now aged 32 and with Lawrenson
and Hansen looking a very solid partnership, he must have feared for his
Anfield future. Thommo started the Charity Shield game at Wembley on
August 20, 1983, Liverpool losing 2-0 to Manchester United, but was
substituted in the second half and would never feature in the first team
again.
New manager Joe Fagan (who had succeeded Bob Paisley that
summer) put his faith in the Lawrenson-Hansen combination and their
excellent form throughout the season meant there was no way back for
Phil. He was loaned out to Sheffield United in December 1984 and joined
the Yorkshire club on a permanent basis in March 1985, a free transfer
bringing an end to his glorious Liverpool career. In 14 seasons at the
club, Phil had made 477 appearances, scoring 13 goals, and won 14 major
honours including seven League championships and two European Cups,
lifting the trophy as captain in 1981. He returned to his beloved
Anfield twice after his playing career ended, working as a coach from
1986-1992 and as assistant manager to Gérard Houllier from 1999-2004. (Martin Greensill)
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