Danny Murphy

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

In 2004, Rafa Benitez sold Danny Murphy just after buying Xabi Alonso. He could - and probably will - do a lot worse than turn the wheel full circle. Murphy was actually replaced by Luis Garcia, bought around the same time, but his identity has changed so much since that he would be a perfect replacement for Alonso. He offers good defensive control through excellent positional sense, has ice in his veins and, most importantly, treats the ball with the utmost respect. Now, in his dotage, his qualities are more appreciated by the public, but he doesn't quite fall foul of the Denis Irwin rule: that if more than 40% of the population say you are underrated, you cannot be underrated. And for much of his career he was seriously undervalued, probably because his unobtrusive, Guardiola-lite game is of a more continental nature.

 

At one stage he was even booed by Liverpool's fans and, if he is now remembered with affection at Anfield, he does not have the legendary status that you might expect given his exploits against Manchester United. No other Liverpool player has scored a winning goal at Old Trafford since Craig Johnston in 1982*; Murphy did it three times. One of those came from the spot and, as well as the excellence in possession that was burned into him in Dario Gradi's Crewe laboratory, Murphy is arguably the finest and most certain penalty taker in this country since Matthew Le Tissier. Usually he strolls up and passes the ball high to the keeper's left into such a specific area that you could win a spot-the-ball competition every time. You may not always spot Murphy, but he's there, doing good work so that other people can get noticed. RS

 

* by this we mean the final goal in a single-goal win

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/...lers-joy-of-six

[Gunga Din]

to be honest, Lucas is a much more capable footballer then Murphy

[bazz]

Danny Murphy, overrated

[domlfc]

to be honest, Lucas is a much more capable footballer then Murphy

Don't agree with that, Murphy is a brilliant player and I don't think you would see Roy Hodgson rushing to swap Murphy for Lucas.

Edited August 21, 2009 by domlfc

[blago]

to be honest, Lucas is a much more capable footballer then Murphy

 

If Lucas gave the ball away half as much as Murphy used to he would be lynched by some of our supporters.

[Raj]

I always liked Danny, but it was best for everyone that he moved on when he did.

Pleased that he is doing well with Fulham, but I wouldnt want him back here now

[Gunga Din]

Don't agree with that, Murphy is a brilliant player and I don't think you would see Roy Hodgson rushing to swap Murphy for Lucas.

 

 

i dont think you'd see a Liverpool fan rushing to swap Rafa for Roy Hodgson

[Tones]

Nor would Rafa swap Lucas for Murphy now.

[Bootle Buck]

If he hadn't been sold and was still at the club he would have done a good job. However, he has moved on is Captain of a decent club and should stay there. He was a good player and will be fondly remembered as a member of the treble winning team. There is no point in comparing him to Lucas, who is still a young lad and beginning to live up to his potential. I think many people's opinion of Lucas will cahnge this season for the positive as they did towards Kuyt last season.

[domlfc]

i dont think you'd see a Liverpool fan rushing to swap Rafa for Roy Hodgson

No you would'nt and as a "Liverpool fan" I certainly would not, but that is not what this thread is about is it? Just my opinion but at this stage I would have Murphy over Lucas. Saying that I am hopeful that Lucas can progress and become part of a title winning side and repay the faith Rafa has put in him.

[m4ttc]

His legs were going back in 2004 so 5 years older aint going to help. He has good feet admittedly

[Farmer's Tan]

i mentioned this awhile back,murphy would do very well with us.His only real problem would be if he was able to run for the full 90mins but as for what he could bring to our mid he is well ahead of lucas,yeah lucas is young and has time on his side but as it stands now i'd pick murphy over him.Last season when we played fulham,we had lucas and masch in our mid and they had murphy and bullard(i think) and we got completely dominated in the first half and a chunk of the second in midfield.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

i dont think you'd see a Liverpool fan rushing to swap Rafa for Roy Hodgson

touche

 

Glad Danny got back on track after Spurs & Charlton. At least he can finish his career at a half-decent outfit rather than a sub or at s****

[Case]

Good player, but very VERY slow. One of my favourites while he was here though, and obviously loved the club.

 

Interestingly, Fulham have just signed Greening from WBA (on loan, I think). Also a good player. If we wanted to add squad depth, he could have done a season's job for us I thnk.

[Frosty Jack]

I liked him but played centrally he gave the ball away more than any major player I can remember

I wanted it to work out for him but it was infuriating, worse than Garcia by far and far worse than Lucas who really doesn't give the ball away much at all.

[Noel Street]

if theres a definition of "brilliant footballer" that includes danny murphy then theres one for lucas leiva

[Falconhoof]

Murphy in for Lucas and Spearing in for Mascherano. We'd be much better off surely ?

[fred milne]

I liked him but played centrally he gave the ball away more than any major player I can remember

I wanted it to work out for him but it was infuriating, worse than Garcia by far and far worse than Lucas who really doesn't give the ball away much at all.

Not for me.

[charlie clown]

I always liked Danny Murphy but I was glad, in pure footballing terms, to see the back of him, he used to give the ball away a horrendous amount, forever squandering possession. I always felt we would never challenge seriously with him in the team because against proper quality opposition he would always be putting the team on the back foot by gifting the ball to the opposition.

[lawrie]

I like Danny much more now that he isn't playing for us

Edited August 21, 2009 by lawrie

[Benzo-13]

Good memories of good goals but used to do my head in when he was preferred to Didi for a while by GH.

 

Had WW3 with Spider-Neil everywhere over that, think a lot of us did?

[Maldini]

There's an ocean between being a great player for Fulham and being even an average player for us.

[Ethan]

There's an ocean between being a great player for Fulham and being even an average player for us.

 

Correct - but I can't remember Danny ever letting us down

[Frosty Jack]

Murphy in for Lucas and Spearing in for Mascherano. We'd be much better off surely ?

 

19

[Maldini]

Correct - but I can't remember Danny ever letting us down

 

He was a good player for us, I never understood the stick he got, I'd say Rafa would have kept him if he'd been able to afford to, but he's 32 now. He wouldn't get near our team.