‘Stand up and be counted’ urges Murphy
Liverpool face the severest of pressures in a four-day spell which will define their season Sunday's Worthington Cup final against Manchester United follows tonight's UEFA Cup fourth round second leg crunch with Auxerre.
Two victories and Liverpool will be able to laugh at those who are condemning them for a season which has spluttered.
Lose one or either, and Murphy and his team-mates will face a desperate time trying to salvage something from the wreckage of a campaign they started believing glory in the Barclaycard Premiership and Champions League could be achieved.
Those prizes are now beyond them but a 1-0 lead in France last week means Euro success is still realistic, although Murphy knows Liverpool must put Sunday's defeat at Birmingham on Sunday behind them quickly.
He said: "It's down to us as players to produce more week-in week-out. rather than playing well one game and then not the next.
"Playing for Liverpool brings its own pressures. We want to succeed and being at a club like this that's what's expected from you.
"If you can't deal with that then you shouldn't be here. I wouldn't hide behind whether there's too much pressure, we are paid well and expected to go out and win games.
"You expect it of yourselves, the staff expect it and the fans expect it so you have got to do it. There's no point looking for excuses you've just got to go out and perform to the best of your ability."
Liverpool welcome back Steven Gerrard and El Hadji Diouf from suspension while defender Stephane Henchoz has recovered from his ankle problem. But much will depend on Murphy, who continued: "These are four big days where there's the chance to progress in Europe, win some silverware, and gain some confidence.
"We still have a lot to play for in the Premiership as well we feel that reaching the Champions League is very realistic still.
"The Auxerre game means a lot because we know what it's like to win the UEFA Cup, and speaking for myself, it was one of the best experiences of my career.
"And it's also important to win games because that's what breeds confidence.
"We feel we have done better and played better in the last month or so I don't think that things are as drastic as being made out.
"It's got a lot to do with playing as many games as we do at such a high level. That's where it's difficult to maintain a level of performance and that's maybe where we need to be more consistent.
"If I knew what has been going wrong I would have Gerard Houllier's job. But we have missed key players like Steven Gerrard and Dietmar Hamann two of the best midfielders in Europe. That would be tough on anyone."
Auxerre, under the leadership of Houllier's friend Guy Roux, will have French international striker Djibril Cisse back from suspension and Murphy accepts he will need close attention.
"Cisse is electric, he's quick with an eye for goal. He will have our respect.
"But Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz have dealt with the best in Europe and are very capable.
"We have honest players who will hold up their hands and accept when things are wrong but we also have people who will give their all to turn things around.
"We expect more of ourselves. I'm always trying to improve, to turn things around.
"But there are still positives for us. We are still going on three fronts and it's up to us to get it right over the next few days and for the rest of the season."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
