Danny Murphy has told talkSPORT how he ‘hated’ Rafael Benitez for forcing him out of Liverpool, and has big regrets over his Anfield exit.
Boyhood Red Murphy began his career at Crewe Alexandra, before eventually completing a dream move to Anfield in 1997.
getty
The midfielder enjoyed seven years as a Liverpool player, becoming a popular figure with fans and winning a total of six trophies, having played a major part in the remarkable quintuple 2000/01 campaign under Gerard Houllier.
But things changed when the Frenchman departed in 2004 after six years in charge, and was replaced by Benitez who quickly made his mark on the team.
Michael Owen, the club’s top scorer for the last seven seasons, was sold to Real Madrid, while defenders Stephane Henchoz and Markus Babbel were also flogged to raise cash for new signings.
And also among them was Murphy, who was told by the ruthless new manager than he no longer had a future at his beloved club.
“Being told you’re no longer wanted at Liverpool by Rafa… that was a tough one,” the talkSPORT pundit told Drivetime.
“He was being honest and he said to me: ‘Look, I want to bring in some of my own players, you’re not going to be part of the XI and it’s unlikely you’re going to get back in the team. If you want to stay, there’s not much point, I know you like playing and you’re better off going’.
getty
“Then he told him who were coming in for me – Tottenham, Charlton and Everton.
“I tried to plead with him a little bit, and he repeated the fact that my time was done, really, in his own way.”
While he now understands the reasons, Murphy says he was left heartbroken at the time and filled with hatred for Benitez.
The former midfielder also believes he should have backed himself and fought to stay at Anfield, despite the manager’s blunt message.
Of course, the team went on to win the Champions League title in Benitez’s first season in charge…
“Looking back, I do appreciate honestly from managers,” he added. “I remember the conversation and he was alright, to be fair.
“I hated him at the time, but I’ve lost that now. I understand what he was doing.
getty
“The next couple of days were a couple of the hardest days of my life. I didn’t know what to do, I didn’t want to leave!
“Rafa just didn’t understand. He didn’t know I spent my whole childhood dreaming of playing for Liverpool, he didn’t know I had all those memories and feelings. He was doing his job, I get that, but it was hard.
“I had great contracts on he table, and choices of managers who really wanted me and that made me feel good.
“But to this day I still think I should have stayed. I should have stayed a bit longer and trusted myself, I should have.
“But the players he brought in weren’t bad, were they? Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia … they won the Champions League that following season and he was justified.”
from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/35tlMW0
via IFTTT
No Comment