Premiership: ‘‘We’re back in business’’ - Murphy

Danny Murphy claimed Liverpool were back in the title race after he went from zero to hero in the eyes of the Reds fans by scoring the only goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Murphy was cheered by some Reds supporters when he was substituted during Saturday’s disappointing home draw with Southampton, but he was the toast of those same fans when he scored the winner in this fixture for the second season running.

His 85th-minute winner ended United’s eight-game winning run and was Liverpool’s fifth successive win over their fiercest rivals.

Murphy was philosophical about this quick turnaround in his fortunes and he said: ‘‘The fans showed their frustrations on Saturday and that’s what they do when the team isn’t playing well.

‘‘But football is about highs and lows and you just have to get on with it.

‘‘We’ve been on a bit of a bad run and we needed this result. That’s the most important thing and not that I got the winner.

‘‘It’s nice that it was at Manchester United and the main thing is that we are back in it now, the three points were so important.’’

Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson 48 yesterday was delighted for the England midfielder and he had a feeling he would score.

‘‘I’m pleased for Danny Murphy,’’ he said. ‘‘It was as though it had been written.

‘‘I told him that I knew that would happen. He has worked extremely hard and when you do that you get your rewards.

‘‘He wasn’t quite booed off and the fans were frustrated and everything.

‘‘I had a chat with him and told him ‘you have to accept these things, Dan’.

‘‘It’s nice when the going’s good, but you also have to take it when it goes bad.

‘‘I told him he’s a good player, don’t worry when it happens. It’s happened to bigger and better players than Danny Murphy and it’s not a problem.

‘‘The fans in the cold light of day will go ‘oh’ and you have seen the response from them today and that’s how the game turns round so quickly.

‘‘Danny’s a good all-round player. It’s just that things don’t go right for you at a particular time.’’

Liverpool’s win is the latest twist of many in the title race and the Reds have climbed to within three points of league leaders United.

Thompson refused to make any rash predictions and he said: ‘‘We will be in with a shout come May for the Premiership title and so will Manchester United.’’

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could not understand how his side had lost and he accused Liverpool of playing long-ball football.

‘‘We played really well, showed commitment, drive and determination and lost the game,’’ he said.

‘‘You just can’t blame the players and sometimes these things happen in football.

‘‘All Liverpool really did is kick the ball forward. They came here for a 1-0 win and they got it like they did last season.’’