- Birthdate: 24 August 1967
- Birthplace: Lambeth, England
- Other clubs: Arsenal (1982-91), Portsmouth (loan 1986-87), Middlesbrough (loan 1998), Benfica (1998-2000), Wimbledon (2000-01)
- Signed from: Arsenal
- Signed for LFC: £1.5m, 13.12.1991
- International debut: 16.11.1988 vs. Saudi Arabia
- International caps: 2/0 - 13.12.1989
- Liverpool debut: 18.12.1991
- Last appearance: 10.05.1998
- Debut goal: 18.01.1992
- Last goal: 13.09.1997
- Contract expiry: 01.08.1998
- Win ratio: 50.31% W:82 D:41 L:40
- Games/assists ratio: 18.11
- Honours: FA Cup 1992; League Cup 1995
- Total games/goals opposite LFC: 16 / 1
- League games / goals / assists: 124 / 9 / 6
- Total games / goals / assists: 163 / 12 / 9
Player Profile
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 club 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. 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, when he displayed his box-to-box athleticism and played a holding role in midfield allowing Barnes the freedom to attack. Thomas rejoined Souness at Benfica in 1998.
Appearances per season
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps |
Minutes |
Opponent |
11 |
622 |
Arsenal |
10 |
641 |
Tottenham |
9 |
583 |
Manchester United |
7 |
625 |
Aston Villa |
7 |
558 |
Wimbledon |
7 |
502 |
Leeds United |
7 |
410 |
Everton |
6 |
520 |
West Ham United |
6 |
470 |
Chelsea |
6 |
458 |
Blackburn Rovers |
6 |
457 |
Sheffield Wednesday |
5 |
377 |
Nottingham Forest |
5 |
353 |
Sheffield United |
5 |
352 |
Middlesbrough |
5 |
351 |
Leicester City |
4 |
298 |
Coventry City |
4 |
297 |
Sunderland |
4 |
283 |
Southampton |
3 |
270 |
Charlton Athletic |
3 |
270 |
Manchester City |
3 |
246 |
QPR |
3 |
211 |
Derby |
3 |
204 |
Burnley |
3 |
183 |
Crystal Palace |
3 |
123 |
Newcastle United |
2 |
210 |
Portsmouth |
2 |
180 |
Norwich City |
2 |
180 |
Spartak Moscow |
2 |
180 |
Spartak Vladi. |
2 |
180 |
Mypa 47 |
2 |
180 |
Sion |
2 |
134 |
Paris St Germain |
2 |
105 |
Bolton Wanderers |
2 |
94 |
Oldham Athletic |
1 |
90 |
Luton Town |
1 |
90 |
Ipswich Town |
1 |
90 |
WBA |
1 |
90 |
Celtic |
1 |
90 |
Birmingham City |
1 |
90 |
Notts County |
1 |
90 |
Crewe |
1 |
90 |
Rochdale |
1 |
90 |
Shrewsbury Town |
1 |
7 |
Brøndby |
Total |
Started/substitutions |
128 |
Started |
28 |
On the bench |
35 |
Substitute |
14 |
Substituted |
Total |
Venue |
81 |
Away |
78 |
Home |
4 |
Neutral |
Goals per season
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Assists per season
A more detailed look at the player's assists
Milestone Appearances
# |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
18.12.1991 |
Tottenham |
White Hart Lane |
League |
50 |
18.12.1994 |
Chelsea |
Stamford Bridge |
League |
100 |
16.03.1996 |
Chelsea |
Anfield |
League |
150 |
11.05.1997 |
Sheffield Wednesday |
Hillsborough |
League |
Milestone Goals
# |
Minute |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
73 |
18.01.1992 |
Oldham Athletic |
Boundary Park |
League |
Related Articles
Press Association report on Liverpool 2 - 0 Sunderland on 20 September 1995.
Match report from British Soccer Week on Liverpool - Nottingham Forest on 14.12.1991.
LFChistory interviewed Michael Thomas. He scored an infamous goal for Arsenal against Liverpool in 1989 but later delivered for Liverpool.
Scrapbook
Michael Thomas on the cover of Shoot! 16 May 1992
Michael Thomas on the cover of Shoot! 2 June 1989
Michael Thomas on the cover of Shoot! 9 May 1992
Thomas the Arsenal hero
Thomas wants to leave - from LFC matchday magazine 1995/96
Other Clubs
Club |
Season |
Club rank |
League apps |
League goals |
Total apps |
Total goals |
Arsenal |
1986-1987 |
England First Division |
11 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
Portsmouth |
1986-1987 |
England Second Division |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
Arsenal |
1987-1988 |
England First Division |
37 |
9 |
46 |
11 |
Arsenal |
1988-1989 |
England First Division |
37 |
9 |
44 |
9 |
Arsenal |
1989-1990 |
England First Division |
36 |
5 |
43 |
8 |
Arsenal |
1990-1991 |
England First Division |
31 |
2 |
41 |
3 |
Arsenal |
1991-1992 |
England First Division |
10 |
1 |
15 |
1 |
Middlesbrough |
1997-1998 |
England First Division |
10 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
Benfica |
1998-1999 |
Portugal 1 |
18 |
1 |
24 |
1 |
Wimbledon |
2000-2001 |
England First Division |
8 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
Total |
201 |
27 |
252 |
33 |