Peter Thompson
Winger (1963-1974)
Date of Birth: 27-11-1942
Birthplace: Carlisle
Debut : 24th August 1964 v Blackburn Rovers (A) Football League Division One: won 2-1
1st team games: 414
1st team goals: 54
Other clubs: Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers (initially on loan)
National Team: England 16 caps/0 goals
Thompson's performance and decisive strike for Preston against Liverpool in an FA Cup fifth round second replay at Old Trafford persuaded Bill Shankly to invest £40,000 in the England winger's talents in August 1963.
The artistic Thompson, who tormented defenders with his bewitching ball control, was the perfect foil on Liverpool's left flank for the more direct Ian Callaghan on the right and they were widely rated the best post war pair of club wingers. Their ability to lacerate defences prompted centre forward legend Dixie Dean to remark: "If I'd have played between those two I'd have scored even more than my record 60 League goals in a season"!
A majestic user of the ball Thompson also scored some memorable goals in his haul of 54 in more than 400 appearances. Two of his total came in the 5-0 mauling of Arsenal in April 1964, which clinched the Championship.
Thompson was also on target in the 2-0 win over Chelsea in the 1965 FA Cup semi final at Villa Park en route to Anfield's long awaited first ever triumph in the competition after a 73-year wait. He joined Bolton in 1974 and is now an hotelier.
Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1963/64 & 1965/66, FA Cup 1965, Charity Shield: 1964 (shared) & 1966)
Peter Thompson