Phil Thompson believes the handball by Luis Suarez which eventually knocked Mansfield out of the FA Cup was not “in the essence of the game” but that, regardless of sentiment and a desire for the game to be played in the true spirit of sportsmanship there are some moments in football that, while not sporting, are part of the game and we have to live with them.

The Anfield legend was speaking to Newstalk Breakfast’s Oisin Langan earlier this morning and after discussing the Suarez controversy went on to talk about the future of Frank Lampard, a future which he would be delighted to see carried out at Liverpool.

Thompson believes Lampard could have a similar effect on this Liverpool squad as Gary McAllister did in the 2000/01 season when the 35 year old Scot led a young Liverpool side to a cup treble. McAllister came in to Gerard Houllier's side at 35 years of age, on a free transfer and his arrival was greeted with scepticism by many Liverpool fans who questioned the wisdom of signing a player of that age. McAllister was to go on to enjoy an Indian summer at Anfield and became and integral, and leading, part of an exciting young side that won 3 cups including the dramatic FA Cup win over Arsenal and the pulsating 5-4 UEFA Cup final triumph over Spanish side Alaves.

The expectation for some time now has been that Lampard will leave Chelsea, either during this month or at the end of the season. However, yesterday The Mail on Sunday and the Independent on Sunday both reported Chelsea were prepared to offer the midfielder an extension to his 12 years at Stamford Bridge.
Contradictory reports were in today's papers however, with both The Sun and The Mirror reporting this morning that Lampard's agent has said there is no chance Chelsea will offer the England international a contract extension.