Jamie Carragher admits Liverpool sold Danny Murphy too quickly, who he believes was massively underestimated.
The former England midfielder spent seven years at Anfield and played alongside Carragher as the Reds won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in the same season. However, Murphy was sold when Rafa Benitez turned up on Merseyside. He was allowed to leave for Charlton Athletic for £2.5 million. Murphy went on to play for Tottenham and Fulham in the top flight before ending his career with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.
Carragher believes the midfielder was underrated, citing his ability to perform in the biggest games as he scored in wins over Manchester United in successive years.
“Someone who was really underestimated was Danny Murphy. Danny could play anywhere in midfield, score goals and score goals – often in the biggest games. Danny always showed up when it mattered against Everton and Manchester United.”
He added, in a Q&A with the Telegraph: “He wasn't the most mobile player but he was brave – he always wanted the ball and wanted to contribute. You see some of the midfielders who play today are highly rated and who almost never assist or score and hide when things get difficult. We sold Danny too early.
“He was a lot better than a lot of the ones we brought in after that, that's for sure.”
Murphy was told by Benitez that his playing time would be limited and that was a motive for his decision to go to London to play football. But in retrospect, he wishes he had 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 wouldn't be the case, so I had a difficult choice to make in short to make time.
“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 little harder under Rafa.”
He added: “People say they have no regrets. Well, I regret not staying, but life is what it is. It's been an amazing seven years for me and being part of the Liverpool family is still very special to me. “
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