Thompson puts the Dutch in their place

Phil Thompson, Liverpool's assistant manager, chose his moment and put Barcelona's loudmouths in their place.

His players had done much the same thing throughout a goalless Champions League draw in the Nou Camp, and Thompson made sure he finally won the war of words.

He and his players had been forced to listen as Barcelona's Dutch players Frank de Boer and Patrick Kluivert had spent weeks ahead of the match criticising the Liverpool side for being negative, boring and not a club they would want to play for.

But Thompson hit back where it hurts. The Dutch have failed to reach the World Cup finals and Thompson rubbed their noses in it with a piece of Scouse wit.

He said: "What had been said before the game certainly motivated the players. Nobody likes being criticised, particularly by players who will be in Disneyland this summer on their holidays rather than at the World Cup in Japan."

Meanwhile, last night's result means if Liverpool beat Roma 2-0 at Anfield next Tuesday they will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Pitch battle causes riot in Roma clash