Liverpool banking on Murphy’s law to complete treble

MANCHESTER United would be forgiven for not wanting to see Danny Murphy trotting out at Old Trafford again.

The tough little England midfielder has scored the winner in Liverpool's last two Premiership matches at the home of their fiercest rivals.

Today he will attempt an unlikely treble and if Liverpool win at United yet again, it will have far-reaching effects on both clubs' seasons.

United would have suffered a body blow in their bid to wrest the title crown from Arsenal and Liverpool would be up to fourth place if only for a few hours in the chase for a Champions League spot.

Murphy said: "It's fair to say that I have a decent record against United and they're one of those teams we seem to do well against." Six wins in their last seven games against Alex Ferguson's men underline that.

Up until United's early-season win at Anfield, thanks to Jerzy Dudek's error and Diego Forlan's two goals, Liverpool had won five on the trot.

They gained quick and sweet revenge for that league upset in March when they beat United 2-0 in the Worthington Cup final in Cardiff.

But now the stakes are even higher and, for Liverpool, a repeat of Murphy's recent heroics at Old Trafford would be just perfect.

He said: "I've scored a couple of goals against them in our last meetings, which always means a lot because of the importance of the games."

"No matter what anyone says about this being just another match, there's always a sweeter feeling if you beat Manchester United and I'm sure their lads will feel the same way.

"There's a healthy rivalry between the clubs but we also have a lot of respect for each other."

And having just shared two England victories with some of United players this week, Murphy added: "There are a lot of players from the England squad involved so we know each other's games very well."

Murphy's two winners against United have both been scored at the Stretford End in 1-0 victories for Liverpool.

During the Reds' treble season two years ago, the midfielder scored a sensational free-kick to seal their first victory at Old Trafford for 10 years.

And last season's matchwinner was even sweeter for Murphy because he had been barracked by his own supporters in a 1-1 draw with Southampton at Anfield in the previous game.

That goal came via a delightful chip past Fabien Barthez from Steven Gerrard's precise pass, and it all but ended United's own title ambitions and paved the way for Liverpool to finish as runners-up.

But Murphy has good memories of more than his last two away games at United.

"One of my first games for Liverpool was at Old Trafford in 1997. I played up front with Michael Owen and because we were down to 10 men early on in that game I spent most of the day on my own up front.

"We played really well to get a 1-1 draw and I thought I acquitted myself well. A few people made me man-of-the-match which was a nice boost for my confidence because I was trying to establish myself in the team at the time."

More of the same would confirm Murphy as United's nemesis.