Murphy hails Owen decision as turning point for Liverpool
The French coach left the Anfield outfit at the end of last season after another disappointing campaign which again left the Reds as also-rans in the Premiership title race.
The lack of success also prompted speculation that both Owen and fellow England star Steven Gerrard were about to walk out on their hometown club.
Gerrard did a U-turn on a move to Chelsea to stay at Anfield while Owen will this week sign an extension to his existing contract which had only a year left to run.
Murphy said: “I think the biggest thing with those two signing is not necessarily their quality as players; that’s obvious. It’s more to do with what they represent.
“They’ve come through the youth set-up, through the academy, they’re Liverpool through and through and the club runs through their veins.
“It’s a clichéd thing but the fans relate to that. They are two players, local lads, who they’ve seen come through from the youth team and I think that can be more important even though their quality is massive.
Murphy is delighted at the direction Liverpool are being taken in by Houllier’s replacement, Rafael Benitez. The new coach took Valencia to a Spanish league and UEFA Cup double last season and the Spaniard has given fresh impetus to the players.
Liverpool, who play old European foes AS Roma at New York’s Giants Stadium tomorrow night, have looked sharp, direct and aggressive in their pre-season tour to north America.
They have played with zest, thumping Celtic 5-1 in East Hartford, Connecticut, last Monday before being edged out by European champions Porto in a 1-0 defeat at Toronto’s Skydome on Friday night.
Asked whether the arrival of Benitez had swept away a culture of caution under Houllier, England international Murphy said: “Yes, I’d have to agree with that.
“I think sometimes in any walk of life, in any job, a change can do anybody some good and the manager and his staff have come in and given everyone a lift.
“The training methods are different and that in itself is nice because it means as a player you can start learning new techniques and new styles.
“It’s dwelling on the past a little and talking of a culture of caution. I mean, under Houllier one year we finished the league with 80 points and that wasn’t a cautious season. But it’s based on success.
“His philosophy is one of hard work, a team that goes forward and tries to win games whereas Gerard was a little bit more cautious. That’s not being disrespectful to him because every manager has their own methods.”
Murphy has played in both games on tour so far and was singled out by Benitez for praise for his hand in new striker Djibril Cisse’s first two goals for Liverpool in the Celtic match.
The former Crewe man was asked to play wide right against the Scots and was then switched inside to a central role for the Porto game.
With a Champions League qualifier in Austria in eight days at Graz AK and the Premiership opener at Tottenham the following Saturday, Murphy knows first impressions count.
“We all want to play and there may be new signings round the corner; but I’ve played two positions in two games and these are the games you try and impress the boss with your versatility.”
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