'Champions League? Why not...'

The Reds recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season as they came back to beat West Ham 3-2 on Sunday, making it just one defeat in 11 for Brendan Rodgers' side.

The fixture list now shows two consecutive home games for the Reds, with Aston Villa and Fulham travelling to Anfield before the busy Christmas period begins.

Asked whether his former team can reduce the four-point gap to fourth place and challenge for Champions League qualification in 2012-13, Thompson insisted it was a possibility.

"Absolutely, why not?" the man who lifted the 1981 European Cup for Liverpool and later became the club's assistant manager told Liverpoolfc.com.

"A few weeks ago you might have thought it was a bit too far away. Four points off fourth spot is a fantastic achievement.

"We've been chipping away so we're still in there and I think there is a great opportunity to get into a Champions League spot.

"I like to see a level of consistency. When you see results coming and you go on long unbeaten runs - and we're capable of doing that all the time, no matter where we are in the league - it normally starts with a few unsuspecting draws.

"Unbeaten in two, then unbeaten in three... Now we're on a run. That's what we're seeing with Brendan's sides. With three victories in a row, it's great.

"Let's not get carried away or look too far ahead - just the next game. It has put us in a great position."

Optimism perhaps reached a season high this weekend with the turnaround at Upton Park, and Thompson hopes the club can capitalise on recent form by strengthening the squad in January.

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The 58-year-old continued: "It was wonderful. I know Jonjo [Shelvey] is claiming the third one - which every striker should do.

"[James] Collins wouldn't have gone for the ball unless Jonjo was as determined as he was, so it was an own goal but he was forced into that.

"It's great that we've gone there and scored three goals - it has given everybody a boost. We need reinforcements without a doubt in January. I would like to see signings early.

"New faces always help the attitude in the camp, and if we can get somebody in early it will turn over some good results."

Plenty of discussion surrounding the Reds this season has centred on the young players being nurtured by Rodgers - and Thompson has been impressed with their progress.

"I've been very impressed with their attitude. The young lads bring energy and commitment and that's what we've seen from this team," he concluded.

"We've had some wonderful performances which have elevated Suso, Andre Wisdom and Raheem [Sterling]. Look at Luis Suarez when he played last week - attitude-wise he was fantastic.

"If you have young players along with them, you can only get bonuses. There have been plus points all along in the Europa League."