7 months ago
111 Liverpool in the early 2000s were an incredibly unique team.
The Reds had built an incredible core of players who were local lads and fans of the club, and they were very successful.
Indeed, the likes of Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Carragher were all exceptional local talents who loved being at Anfield, but, strangely, that team was to be dismantled in the coming years.
Despite having so many talented players who were fiercely loyal to Liverpool, the likes of Owen and Fowler were sold on, while another local talent was also sold.
Danny Murphy was sold to Charlton Athletic in 2004 for £3m, and now, speaking on the Ben Heath Podcast, Murphy has opened up on his departure from Liverpool, claiming that he never actually wanted to leave the club.
Danny Murphy never wanted to leave Liverpool
Murphy spoke about leaving Anfield and his relationship with Rafa Benitez.
“I’ve got two regrets. One is leaving Liverpool. I should’ve waited, I was made to feel I had to go. Rafa, I hated him at the time, but he was honest. He brought in Alonso and Luis Garcia and he said under me you’re not going to play and clubs are in for you. I should’ve said that I don’t care and I’m staying and you will play me. I should’ve had more about me and I should’ve took the risk,” Murphy said.
Benitez knew best
As painful as it must’ve been for Liverpool fans to see these sorts of players leave, it has to be said that Benitez knew best here.
With all due respect to Murphy, Xabi Alonso was the superior player, and Benitez did win Liverpool the Champions League during that first season.
Of course, it’s a bitter pill to swallow for any player to be forced out of their boyhood club, but a manager always has to put their team first.
The post ‘I hated him’: Player Liverpool sold for £3m says he despised Rafa Benitez and didn’t want to leave appeared first on TBR Football.
