Thompson the fill-in is filling out

Here's something to ponder on: Phil Thompson as Manager of the Season. Mischievous maybe, but something to consider for those who ridiculed the former Anfield defender so unjustly when Gérard Houllier was taken ill back in October. Yet the manner in which Liverpool have begun to play with an ominously convincing accord, just as they did at this time last year, could indeed lead to a man from Anfield taking the prize. And presumably that would be the one known affectionately by opponents' supporters, at least for the most part, as Pinocchio.

Liverpool's Melwood training complex on Friday, and Houllier drives away in his Mercedes Coupé, a large scarf twirled round his neck like the latest reincarnation of Dr Who. "Don't pressurise him, lads," the gatemen warn the autograph hunters as they press eagerly round his vehicle. They obligingly and respectfully part, like the Red Sea, to let him through. Presumably, the potential for stress is why the manager still leaves Thompson to do the talking about Wednesday's Champions' League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen.

That task is in good hands, his deputy in excellent voice. The passion for his club pulses from the acting manager like a geyser, and yet there is never anything but "respect" – the favourite expression of Merseyside's answer to Ali G – for the opposition. He has, though, a dry humour and enjoys picking up journalists on their errors. Someone made a mistake when they attempted to recall Liverpool's last championship year. "Eh, you should do your homework," he chides the unfortunate. But overall he is a popular figure and it is difficult to recall a faux pas since he became caretaker.

Though Houllier has been in situ during recent training and games, and before that communicated fully with Thompson from his sickbed, his stand-in has revelled in the role of front-of-house manager. You suspect that the responsibilities each had before Houllier's heart attack may alter subtly even when the Frenchman has returned to full fitness. It is not inconceivable that Houllier might take more of a long-term view on the club's activities, taking charge of transfers in and out, while Thompson may handle the more hectic and pressured day-to-day running of the team.

Thompson denies it, although frankly he probably would, wouldn't he? "Don't get me going on that one," he says. "No, Gérard will just slot back in. There'll be a gradual changeover. But his wellbeing is more important than anything. I'm just filling in."

Despite concerns in some quarters about his man-management following the contretemps with Robbie Fowler at the start of the season, there is no more pronounced advocate of a set of players than Thompson. Not, you would suggest, Sir Alex Ferguson, not even Arsène Wenger. The fact that few signs of discontent emanate from Anfield suggest that he has learned swiftly where his education on such matters was deficient.

"With this team, it astounds me how deep they can dig to get results," he enthuses. "Once they have the bit between their teeth nothing can stop them. We feel invincible at times. These lads have a belief that they can get through if they stick together."

They will need to, if they are to account for the Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen over two legs. "They've probably come out of one of the most difficult groups," says Thompson. "Nearly as hard as ours. Everybody said, 'What a great draw for you'. But why is that? It's quite disrespectful. To come through a group with Juventus, Arsenal and Deportivo and finish top is a great testimony to them. I find it quite staggering what's been said.

"I think they'll be in confident mood and, with their blend of German and foreign players, I think they're quite formidable. They have a great physical presence, with [Carsten] Ramelow and [Michael] Ballack in midfield, [Yildiray] Basturk, who we've seen against Arsenal can be a very influential player, [Oliver]) Neuville, [Jens] Nowotny and the big lad Lucio at the back."

But Thompson adds: "Having said that, they'll know they've drawn a top team in Liverpool. At least, I hope they'll be thinking that, because we've worked on our image in these last three-and-a-half years since Gérard came to power. I want, and Gérard wants, people to be fearful of us. We're building up that reputation just like we had before [in the Eighties]. We're making ourselves big names in Europe again."

Thompson, a member of the Liverpool side when they were last a powerful dynasty in European, believes that the players' rehearsal in the Uefa Cup last year will yield its reward. "That was a great grounding for us," he says. "Whatever we do at home on Wednesday, we believe we can do well away from home, because we have players all over the field who can score, and remain solid at the back."

One of those potential match-winners is Steven Gerrard, who could well reappear after injury on Wednesday. "That'll be a real bonus for us," says Thompson. "But it's important to remember, on the plus side, the increasing amount of games he's playing every year. His body has grown extremely quickly – just imagine, at 14 Michael Owen and Stevie Gerrard were the same height – and he's been able to take the demands. That's a big testimony to our medical people who look after the boy, and to himself. There's going to come a time when he'll play every game."

You can understand how Thompson's enthusiasm transmits itself to the players. He can reflect proudly on his record in charge, a record, you put to him, that answered vehemently those who considered at the outset that he wasn't up to the job. "It was just a lack of thought, a lack of respect," he says about his detractors.

But manager of the season? It is about the only subject at the moment that will silence him. "No comment," he says, that famous beak reddening, "I'm only here to serve, and do my best until Gérard comes back. That's all. The fans know that I put 100 per cent into it. But I've learned so much."

Well, how about character of the season? "You could write a soap opera about this," he scoffs. "Can you explain to me how you can get 3,000 people at Anfield, or 45,000 elsewhere chanting, 'Sit down, Pinocchio'. The game's going on, by the way, and these people have paid 30 quid to watch it, but all they're looking at is one big-nosed bastard on the touchline and seeing whether he's sat down or not."

He sniggers at the spectacle. "But I enjoy it. I love the banter, just like I did when I was a player. The more they shout at me, the more I know I'm doing the job well." Few can have any doubt about that. Least of all Houllier.