Jamie Carragher has claimed Liverpool were too quick to sell Danny Murphy with the former Reds midfielder renowned for his performances in the biggest of clashes
Jamie Carragher has claimed Liverpool were too quick to sell Danny Murphy with the former Reds midfielder renowned for his performances in the biggest of clashes Jamie Carragher has claimed Liverpool were too quick to sell Danny Murphy with the former Reds midfielder renowned for his performances in the biggest of clashes
Jamie Carragher admits Liverpool were too quick to sell Danny Murphy – who he insists was immensely underrated.
The former England midfielder was at Anfield for seven years, playing alongside Carragher as the Reds won the FA Cup, League Cup and the UEFA Cup in a single season. Murphy though was sold once Rafa Benitez rocked up on Merseyside. He was allowed to leave for Charlton Athletic for £2.5m. Murphy then went on to play for Tottenham and Fulham in the top flight before he ended his career with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship
Carragher believes that the midfielder was under appreciated, citing his ability to perform in the biggest of games as he scored in wins over Manchester United in successive years.
“Someone who was really underrated was Danny Murphy. Danny could play anywhere across midfield, created goals and scored goals – often in the biggest games. Danny always turned up when it mattered against Everton and Manchester United.”
He added, speaking to the Telegraph in a Q&A: “”He was not the most mobile player but he was brave – he always wanted the ball and wanted to contribute. You see some midfielders highly rated today and they hardly ever assist or score and they will hide when the going gets tough. We sold Danny too early.
“He was a lot better than many we brought in afterwards, that’s for sure.”
Murphy was told by Benitez that his game time was going to be limited and that was a motive in his decision to head to London to play his football. With the benefit of hindsight though he wishes he stayed and fought for his position, especially given their Champions League success that year.
Murphy admitted: “It was a difficult decision for me at the time because I was so used to playing and I loved playing. He made it clear to me more than once that that wasn’t going to be the case, so I had a difficult choice to make in a short period.
“The only thing for me of course is that the year I left they won the Champions League. Maybe I could have stayed and fought a bit harder under Rafa.”
He added: “People say they have no regrets. Well, I do, I regret not staying, but life is what it is. It was a wonderful seven years for me and being part of that Liverpool family is still very special to me.”
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