Phil Thompson: Liverpool ‘need someone like’ World Cup scorer who Roy Keane branded a ‘pub player’
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ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe full-back’s Scotland teammate John McGinn was the subject of some headline-grabbing comments from Roy Keane on The Overlap last week, when the ex-Manchester United captain said of the Aston Villa midfielder: “He’s done brilliant, but when he has his bad days, he looks like a pub player.”Thompson: Liverpool ‘need someone like’ McGinnSpeaking on No Tippy Tappy Football, Thompson took umbrage at those comments from the Irishman and claimed that Liverpool are lacking someone of the 31-year-old’s tenacity and determination in midfield.The former Reds captain said: “Roy Keane is one of the great players of our time. That’s what your captain is all about, so for Roy to be saying that about McGinn, I think it was very harsh.“John McGinn is a player that you all need.
Look at Liverpool – we don’t have a John McGinn in our side. I’m not saying that he is right for Liverpool, but this is the sort of player who should never be decried.“He brings so much to that Scotland side.
He’s a good footballer, first and foremost, but his attitude rubs off on his team-mates, and he demands from others also.”Want more Empire of the Kop coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustLiverpool could do with a new Henderson-esque midfield generalThompson’s comments are reminiscent of when Jason McAteer claimed after Liverpool’s defeat to Galatasaray last September that they lack a forceful character like Henderson or Milner, who were captain and vice-captain at Anfield respectively before their exits in 2023.That the same point is still being made nine months later is telling, and it highlights an unquantifiable trait that no data algorithm can measure, but is apparent to anyone who suffered through watching a catalogue of feeble Reds performances over the past year.LFC are highly unlikely to actually sign McGinn, considering that he turns 32 in October and plays for a direct positional rival; but a younger, more attainable alternative would be most desirable, especially now that another dressing room leader in compatriot Robertson has departed.If said player had the Aston Villa midfielder’s potency, that’d also be especially welcome – the Scot netted 10 times for his club in the 2025/26 campaign and also scored his country’s winner against Haiti in their World Cup opener last weekend.How Iraola could do with someone in his current squad stepping up to be that no-nonsense, standard-driving presence in the middle of the park, much like Henderson and Milner in their time at Anfield.