Phil Thompson recalls outburst at Richard Keys during first-half of 2005 Champions League final

Phil Thompson has recalled how he lost his cool during the first-half of the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul and directed his outburst towards then-Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys. 

Thompson, a former Liverpool player and coach, was in the Sky studio 16 years ago, when AC Milan stormed into a 3-0 lead after nothing short of a disastrous first-half for Rafael Benitez’s side. 

And Thompson, speaking to Goal last year about that famous night in Turkey when the Reds miraculously fought back to win on penalties, recalls his anger in the studio during the first-half in the Ataturk Stadium. 

Phil Thompson recalls losing his cool at ex-Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys in Istanbul 

Hernan Crespo puts Milan 2-0 up, straight after Liverpool had a penalty appeal turned down

‘I remember effing and blinding after Milan had scored their second goal,’ Thompson remembers. 

‘We should have had a penalty at the other end, but instead we go 2-0 down. “Mind your language Thommo,” Keys told me. I think I told him to f*** off!

‘I remember sitting there at the interval thinking, “What the f*** am I going to say when Richard Keys comes to me?” So I just talked about belief. I always believe in Liverpool, every year, every game. It’s probably been my downfall…’

Yet the Reds scored three goals in six second-half minutes to level the scores, with Jerzy Dudek the eventual hero in extra-time and in the penalty shoot-out.  

‘The second half was a whirlwind,’ Thompson added. ‘One goal goes in. Good, we’ve given them something to think about. Then a second straightaway. Now we’ve got the belief. The penalty. I nearly crashed through the glass! 

But Liverpool fought back from that half-time deficit to claim their fifth European Cup 

Thompson played for Liverpool and was also assistant under Gerard Houllier (R) for six years

‘Again, Keys is telling me to mind my language. Again, he gets told where to go! 

‘I remember ringing Rick Parry, who was the chief executive, the day after the game. I told him congratulations, and he put David Moores, the chairman, on. We had a nice chat and then David says ‘oh Stevie’s [Gerrard] here too…’

‘Stevie comes on the line, and I’ll never forget his words as long as I live. “It feels f****** great doesn’t it?” I couldn’t have put it better myself!’