‘I Told Liverpool’s Most Successful Manager to F-off and Got the Biggest Rollicking’
Liverpool legend Phil Thompson recalled the “biggest rollicking” of his career when he snapped back at club icon Bob Paisley, telling him to “f*** off” after a defeat to Aston Villa.
Thompson, who played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s dominance in the 70s and early 80s, winning seven league titles, three European Cups, and numerous other trophies, shared the story of a particularly memorable encounter with Paisley during the 1978/79 season. Despite a stellar career, there was one moment that stood out as a low point.
In a match at Villa Park, Thompson’s own goal helped Villa to a 3-1 victory over Liverpool, one of only four defeats the Reds suffered that season on their way to the title. After the game, an irate Paisley entered the dressing room and reprimanded Thompson, asking if the captaincy was “too much” for him. In a rare show of defiance, Thompson retorted, “you can f*** off,” which left his teammates in stitches.
“I sliced an own goal past Ray Clemence, and Bob came in, and he went, ‘Is the captaincy too much for you, is it getting to you?’” Thompson recalled. “I said ‘you can f* off,’ and he went, ‘What’d you mean, f* off?’ All the players were killing themselves laughing. We’d been beaten 3-1, and that was probably the biggest rollicking I’ve ever had.”
Despite the loss, Liverpool didn’t secure the league title until they defeated Villa 3-0 in the return match the following month.
Thompson also shared that his proudest moment in football came when he lifted the European Cup in 1981 against Real Madrid, marking his third triumph in the prestigious competition.
