‘Kenny Dalglish will be disgusted’ – Liverpool should reverse furlough decision, says Danny Murphy

Danny Murphy believes Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish will be ‘disgusted’ with the club over their decision to furlough staff during the coronavirus crisis.

The Reds have faced huge criticism after announcing on Saturday they had placed ‘some staff’ – around 200 employees – on the government’s job retention scheme.

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The Merseysiders have promised these workers will receive full pay, with the furlough scheme covering 80 per cent of their wages while the club will top up the remaining 20 per cent.

But that hasn’t stopped a big backlash from the public as well as some of their former players.

Anfield legends Jamie Carragher and Didi Hamann were among the stars to slam Liverpool, claiming they have harmed their own reputation, while supporter group Spirit of Shankly has written to chief executive Peter Moore to ask for an explanation as to why the decision was made.

Former Reds midfielder Murphy has now joined his old teammates in their criticism of the hierarchy.

And he believes Kop King Dalglish would also be appalled by the news, saying it goes against the very fabric of the club and 'everything the club has built since Bill Shankly'.

“It’s hard to imagine how they’ve come up with this,” Murphy said on Monday’s White and Sawyer.

“Even if the profits haven’t been as a good as they have been with Liverpool’s recent success… the reputation Liverpool has gained over the years by dealing with adversity and the togetherness with the supporters – this stinks.

“It’s grotesque. It’s a quick, silly decision based on trying to save a few quid.

“It’s totally against what Liverpool Football Club is, what it’s become, and what it’s built since Bill Shankly – and I say that with knowledge of what it means to be part of that football club.

“I can’t think there will be any supporters who will agree with this decision.

“Kenny will be disgusted. Kenny did so much during Hillsborough and that took him apart.

“He was a perfect example, he epitomised what Liverpool Football Club is about.

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“I think a lot of people within the club will be having words about this to the hierarchy.

“Well done to Manchester City, to be the first ones to say they aren’t going to do it. I know you could say, ‘well they’ve got billions’, but Liverpool have got billions!”

Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group chiefs John W Henry and Tom Werner, are estimated to be worth £2billion.

Only two months ago, Liverpool announced profits of £42million in their latest financial figures, with total turnover up to £533m over the last financial year.

They also boasted they were seventh in the Deloitte Football Money League, having moved up from ninth. In that list of the world’s richest clubs, the Reds are £6m short of Manchester City.

And Murphy has made a plea to Liverpool’s CEO Peter Moore to reverse the decision to furlough staff, given their huge financial backing.

And if they don’t, he believes that will show the club is being run by people who do not understand Liverpool.

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“I hope Liverpool change their mind on it and backtrack, because I think they’ve underestimated the impact of this decision,” added the former midfielder.

“Any football club in the Premier League who decide to use this scheme are wrong. I’d be shocked if it wasn’t reversed.

“You’re talking a maximum £750,000 a month, and even if it was for six months or even 12 months, it’s not a problem for Liverpool to pay that money.

“Why should the government by paying that when football can pay it and look after itself? That government money could be used elsewhere!”

Asked what he’d say to chief executive Moore, Murphy finished: “Own it, admit you were wrong, change your decision, it’s the best you can do right now. It’s very simple.

“If they don’t, I think the people in charge who have made this decision will be skating on thin ice in the future.  They’ll be there to be shot at and they’ll be hammered - and rightly so.

“You don’t want people in charge of your club who don’t understand the club.

“Whoever has made this decision doesn’t understand Liverpool football club. He’s not a Liverpool man. Simple as that.”