Luke Thomas

[NewburyFox]

I thought he defended pretty well (although let’s be fair, Salah should’ve had a couple, including inside two minutes) but offered next to nothing going forward. I suspect it’ll be a battle between him and Kristiansen again for the spot next season as we will have bigger priorities. 

[Wolfox]

What impressed me most was his knack to pop up in the right areas to clear the ball…. That comes from experience and he appears to have that defensive nous…. Really impressive and I think he’ll get better

[Ian Nacho]

The fact it's taken until April for Kristiansen to be dropped is criminal. Thomas is far better. 

[Bert]

He’s been a lot better than Kristiansen and he stood up really well against Salah again yesterday. Just like he did when we beat them 1-0 on Boxing Day. So let’s give credit where credits due. 
 

As @teblin has said, it also seems like his physicality has came on too. 
 

Still a lot of improvement to come from him of course, but it’s likely he’s gonna feature for us next season and I’d say championship would be a comfortable level for him. 

[suffolk fox]

Luke Thomas was simply outstanding today.  Kept Salah quiet and played well against him.  Those saying he didn't bomb forward.  Since when, with our playing style has any of our full backs bombed forward?

 

Deserves to stay at the club and be our left full back in the Championship.  As long as he keeps the carthorse Justin, out the side I am all for it.

[Number 6]

Didn't let them hit that big diagonal to Salah all afternoon and defended really well. Should be our starting LB next season.

[Mickyblueeyes]

Broke into the team, probably didn’t have the right people around him, fell off a cliff. Sometimes young players need to do that to rebuild. Some don’t do it quick enough to save their career 
 

The last two games, he’s been good. If this is the Thomas going forward, we could do a lot worse next year

[reynard]

I think Kristiansen is likely to leave. Thomas is fine for the Championship. At least he tries. We have far greater problem positions than left back.

[GrobyLCFC31]

People forget that Thomas first spell was in the team that were challenging top half Prem, he held his own for a while and then got taken out for Castagne I think before JJ and Ricky P’s massive injuries left us no choice to play him when we got relegated first time around. 

Yes he was the weakest link and confidence got massively knocked!  

 

But he’ll be more than good enough for the Championship

 

[Claridge]

Not a big fan but he does seem to have improved in the few games this season, great concentration today against Salah (although he could of had a hatrick).

Certainly more important positions to change next season

 

[honeybradger]

13 hours ago, Glasgow fox said:

Guys just an opinion but salah had him on toast.  Salah should have scored 3 in the first half,  Luke does not lack effort but certainly lacks quality and positional awareness imo

Salah is one of the best players in Premier League history and he had Bradley, Szosboslai, Macallister creating chances for him. When youre partnered with Wout Faes and Soumare it's impossible to keep track of him at all times whilst also covering any tricky runs from the other Liverpool players down the flank.

 

Yes salah did find space a few times and should have scored but Thomas won the majority of their head to head duels which is about as much as you can expect from someone in his position.

[BKLFox]

What’s with the offered nothing in attack comments, With Ricardo stepping into midfield when we had the ball would it be normal for a teams LCB to bomb forward on an overlap with the RW?

[Reginaldo]

He was superb yesterday fair play to him. 

[Plastik Man]

I was impressed with him yesterday, he looks to have strengthened physically.

 

But because of our absolute poverty in that position for so long I can't be sure my standards haven't dropped significantly!

[Glasgow fox]

39 minutes ago, honeybradger said:

Salah is one of the best players in Premier League history and he had Bradley, Szosboslai, Macallister creating chances for him. When youre partnered with Wout Faes and Soumare it's impossible to keep track of him at all times whilst also covering any tricky runs from the other Liverpool players down the flank.

 

Yes salah did find space a few times and should have scored but Thomas won the majority of their head to head duels which is about as much as you can expect from someone in his position.

When you put it like that I am inclined to agree.

[davieG]

2 hours ago, RowlattsFox said:

Will need to add something to the attacking side of his game if he wants to start next season. Done well enough when called upon this season though. 

 

2 hours ago, NewburyFox said:

I thought he defended pretty well (although let’s be fair, Salah should’ve had a couple, including inside two minutes) but offered next to nothing going forward. I suspect it’ll be a battle between him and Kristiansen again for the spot next season as we will have bigger priorities. 

I've no doubt he'd been told to stay back as he became our 3rd CB when Ricardo moved into midfield when we had the ball.

I seem to remember him pushing forward a lot in the Cup final providing the pass for Youri to score.

36 minutes ago, BKLFox said:

What’s with the offered nothing in attack comments, With Ricardo stepping into midfield when we had the ball would it be normal for a teams LCB to bomb forward on an overlap with the RW?

This.

[Simonb]

5 hours ago, Steve Earle said:

Fixed that for you.

 

JJ is one of those (cf Ndidi, Vestegaard) who've just been here too long...

Although we need a big overhaul, it will also cause more damage than good to change too many. Personally I think having JJ in the squad in the championship will be useful.. then change him next summer. 

 

We need to overhaul the whole spine with a back up keeper, centre backs and midfield and striker.. the wing backs and winger options will be fine for a season... albeit I would like to see Aluko given a go though

[les-tah]

Only 23 and about 3 or 4 years away from his peak maybe hes just reaching his potential more and more. Would like to think hes one of the best LBs in the champ next season.

[JimJams]

From a general football forum I frequent,  as well as a few others on here. 

 

"Thomas easily man of the match for me."

Liverpool fan

 

"They'll probably give it to Trent but agree 100%. He's been superb."

Palace fan.

 

Made more of an impression than VK, up against the best player in the league. 

Though I do think VK is absolute dogshit regardless. 

[AjcW]

Another way to look at it, if he’s made that much of an impression on neutrals then this is an easy PSR win for us. Been plenty of interest in him previously at home and abroad 

[FoxesTez]

On 17/03/2025 at 06:39, FoxesTez said:

He might have to get my POTS vote at this rate. 

This is becoming more and more likely!

[Claudio Fannieri]

Has done really well since coming back in, perhaps the last couple of seasons which has seen him go through a very difficult spell has given him the drive to push back on. 
 

personally I would look to move VK on in the summer and have Thomas as starting LB with Aluko and Ali as back up. 

[Lambert09]

9 minutes ago, FoxesTez said:

This is becoming more and more likely!

It’s a 3 horse race between him fatawu and Ricardo 

[Lesterlad]

Thomas had a good game yesterday. But let’s face it he is still bloody crap. Surely him and Kristenson should be sold and we get a left back in who can actually defend. 
 

Thomas as looked one of our better players last few weeks, but let’s face it that  isant hard to do at present 

[Jimmy]

7 hours ago, Richmondfox said:

Yep, JJ has stunk out the club with his lack of defensive abilities and unwillingness to be progressive, so he offers nothing and is somehow getting worse. 

 

Thomas played well as he had to stay switched on against one of the best in the world, he certainly didn’t embarrass himself.  Hopefully he can apply that work ethic and ability next season against lesser opposition and add quick progressive play and support for Mavadidi. 

if JJ stays here we need to convert him to a CB, he's just not a modern full back