Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, reflecting on his departure from Anfield, admits it as one of his greatest regrets. Murphy, now 47, who joined the Reds in 1997 from Crewe Alexandra and amassed over 200 appearances for the club, opened up about his feelings.
He was a pivotal part of the team that clinched a treble under Gérard Houllier in the 2000/01 season and established himself as a regular under the Frenchman. However, the arrival of Rafael Benítez in 2004 saw Murphy’s status diminish.
Benítez made it clear to the ex-England international that he had no future at the club, leading Murphy to move to fellow Premier League side Charlton that summer. Looking back, Murphy regrets not fighting harder to stay at Anfield.
“One of my biggest regrets is leaving Liverpool. I should have been more patient, but I felt pushed out at the time. Although I didn’t see eye to eye with Rafa, I respect his honesty,” Murphy shared on the Ben Heath podcast.
“He brought in Xabi Alonso and Luis García, and he was straightforward with me, saying, ‘I know you want to play, but you won’t be featuring under me.’ He mentioned there were offers from other clubs, but I should have stood my ground and said, ‘I’m staying, and you’ll end up playing me.’
“In hindsight, it might have been a mistake. I underestimated my own value. I had offers from three Premier League clubs, and even if I had stayed for another year, those opportunities would still have been there. I simply loved playing and despised being on the bench. It’s a decision I deeply regret. I should have waited until I was shown the door or my contract expired because Liverpool was my club.”
Murphy wasn’t the only one departing Liverpool that summer; Michael Owen also left for Real Madrid. Despite Owen’s move stirring controversy among Liverpool fans, Murphy defended his former teammate, highlighting Owen’s resilience and accomplishments, including winning the league at Manchester United.
“Michael, like me, wasn’t exactly in Benítez’s plans. He had an opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in the world. I don’t believe he betrayed Liverpool by leaving. His decision to join Manchester United drew more criticism, but he showed resilience and achieved success there. While his Liverpool legacy may have been tainted by that move, we can’t overlook his contributions to the club,” Murphy concluded.
