Phil Thompson singles out £12m Newcastle man for criticism despite not having played for two games

Kieran Trippier has missed Newcastle United's last two games through injury but the defender is expected to return to action against West Ham.

Trippier's leadership is an invaluable asset to Newcastle and has been since the day he walked through the door in January 2022. Not just that, he's been huge in terms of providing assists for our strikers and when he's absent he is sorely missed.

That being said, December was a dark period for Trippier as his form for the Magpies dropped like a stone after he was clearly being asked to do too much.

At 33, he's no spring chicken in footballing terms and the right-back was being asked to play every game for Newcastle who, at the time, were playing at least two games a week, often three. The injury list was so vast that there was no way Eddie Howe could rotate.

Phil Thompson took aim at Kieran Trippier on TalkSPORT

This heavy workload eventually started to take its toll on the Newcastle players, none more so than Kieran Trippier who made a string of errors that were punished by the opposition and Newcastle ultimately dropped vital points as a result.

Trippier has managed to pick himself up and his form since the turn of the year has been much better up until his injury, however, that's not stopped Liverpool legend Phil Thompson from having a dig on TalkSPORT this morning.

“Trippier is one where you look at the failings of all the players because to me I’ve always thought what a player.

“His energy levels, his commitment has been incredible each game, and then all of a sudden he’s fallen off a cliff, his performances and mistakes have started to cost.

“Yes, you can make one or something like that but his were continuous. Your mind is not right, your energy levels drop.”

Can we not move on without being dragged back?

Aye, fair point Phil, but you're talking about four months ago, mate. He's not played for two games.

How can the lad move on from a poor spell of form, which he's come out and admitted publicly very recently, if it keeps getting dragged up by the national media?

We hope he's back in action for West Ham on 30th March and gets back to pinging balls into dangerous areas for Alexander Isak and co to bury.