Keane backed to be a hero

Aug 16 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

BOYHOOD Liverpool fan Daryl Murphy thinks his Republic of Ireland team-mate Robbie Keane can be the man who finally ends the Reds’ Premier League drought – but the Sunderland striker is hoping their latest title tilt starts on a losing note.

Striker Keane is expected to make his Liverpool debut at the Stadium of Light this evening after his controversial £20.3m move from Tottenham Hotspur. And Murphy believes the huge transfer fee will prove to be money well spent.

“I think he’s a quality player,” said the 25-year-old, who has played alongside Keane at international level. “He gets in the hole where defenders don’t like it. He gets the ball to feet and sets up quite a lot as well as score.”

Murphy, who joined Sunderland from League of Ireland side Waterford in 2005, admitted it was difficult when he first faced Liverpool last season, not getting carried away by the experience. “The players who always stood out for me as a kid were Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman,” he added. “They did a lot for them. They never won much but hopefully they might win something this year, just not against us on Saturday.

“To play against them was absolutely brilliant. But you can’t step on the pitch being in awe of their players when you’re playing in the Premiership, it’s not like that. You obviously give them respect but at the end of the day they’re human beings.”