Thompson angry at Mourinho

(GSM) – Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson is angry at newly-installed Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho for publicly declaring his interest in Reds’ skipper Steven Gerrard. Thompson has warned Mourinho that it will take a lot to prize Gerrard away from Anfield.

Mourinho has tried to sign the England midfielder on two other occasions while at Chelsea and has now revealed his admiration for Gerrard again, claiming that the latter is a “great player”.

“I like players in the final part of their careers (Gerrard turns 30 on Sunday),” said the ex-Inter Milan boss.

“They are players that you buy and you won’t recover this money but if they give you good performances for two or three years you’ve got your money’s worth. Both (Gerrard and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard) are great players who always give everything.”

Thompson feels Mourinho does not care for rules over “touting for players” and he told Press Association Sport: “Without a doubt that is Mourinho. He doesn’t care whether there are any rules or regulations about touting for players.

“Steven Gerrard is still a Liverpool player with a big contract and anyone else would be rapped on the knuckles.”