Michael Thomas

Many Liverpool fans got the shock of a lifetime when the Arsenal player who ruined the club's title dreams in the most dramatic fashion in May 1989 joined the Reds. If ever you wanted to run on to Anfield and rugby-tackle somebody as a last resort it was when Thomas slipped past the Liverpool defence in the very last minute to secure the League Championship for the Gunners. It was certainly a dream come true for Thomas who had joined the Gunners as a schoolboy in 1982 and had gone on to forge a tremendous career. 

Thomas made some amends though when he scored a fantastic goal for Liverpool in the 2-0 win over Sunderland in the FA Cup final at the end of his first season at Liverpool. Souness liked his versatility as Thomas was able to play as a right-back, centre-half or a midfielder. Thomas snapped his Achilles tendon in January 1993 and was effectively out for a season and a half. His Liverpool career took off again in the 1995/96 season, now under the management of Roy Evans. He displayed his box-to-box athleticism and played a holding role in midfield allowing Barnes the freedom to attack and and his experience was useful in guiding younger teammates such as Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp. Thomas rejoined Souness at Benfica in 1998. His time in Lisbon was brief and affected by injuries, and he made only a handful of appearances before returning to England. Thomas had a short spell with Wimbledon, though by then his professional career was winding down. Persistent fitness problems led him to retire from top-level football.