We're Murph our weight in goldBy ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
DANNY MURPHY says winning the Europa League with Fulham would mean more than any trophy he bagged at Liverpool.
The Londoners are potentially 90 minutes from their first European final at the end of a 'special adventure' which started last July in Lithuania.
Skipper and midfield general Murphy won the UEFA Cup, two League Cups and the FA Cup in seven years with the Kop outfit.
But it is this season's odyssey with one of the Premier League's smallest outfits that will hold a special place in Murphy's heart.
The Cottagers have got past Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma and now face Hamburg in the semi-final second leg after a goalless draw in Germany.
The winners will play Atletico Madrid - or Murphy's old club Liverpool.
Murphy, 33, said: "The players are becoming a lot more aware that this is a special adventure. With Liverpool, the expectation is always there.
"We are talking about reaching a final which would be one of the greatest achievements of our history, whereas at Liverpool they are talking about reaching the same final as a consolation.
"That puts it into perspective a little bit.
"Winning trophies at Liverpool were some of the best memories of my life.
"But to do it with Fulham - not that we have won a trophy yet - to get to this level is more satisfying because nobody gave us a chance to do that.
"Sometimes being an underdog is more satisfying.
"Getting to the final would be a great reward for everyone involved, including the supporters. Fingers crossed that will happen.
"You appreciate things more at a club like Fulham. You just assume at Liverpool each year would be a final and as you get older you realise that's not the case.
"As I've got older I know these things are the moments to savour.
"We were dismissed at the start of the tournament for many reasons. To overcome the challenges we have faced in terms of the quality of the teams we have faced, injuries, suspensions - it is hard to put into words what we have achieved."
Murphy added: "The other thing people sometimes forget is we have maintained a healthy Premier League campaign at the same time.
"Playing the weekend after has sometimes been a real effort.To play every three or four days continually is very difficult.
"Gerard Houllier stressed weekends after Europe as the important ones.
"Roy Hodgson has been on our case about this, the importance of digging in when you are a bit tired. In a few home games - Birmingham, Wigan, Everton - we have come from goals behind after Europe and that says a lot about the spirit.
"Certainly it has been a wonderful effort so far and it is not over."
Hamburg sacked their manager Bruno Labbadia in between the first and second legs after a 5-1 League defeat at Hoffenheim.
His assistant Ricardo Moniz has taken over temporarily.
Murphy worked with Dutchman Moniz when he was a skills coach at Spurs four years ago. He said: "He was a good coach and the lads liked him a lot.
"I'm sure he will be attack-minded, because that is the type of guy he is, and they will play for him.
"I just hope he has a bizarre tactical plan that goes horribly wrong."
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2951807/Danny-Murphy-eyes-Europa-League-glory-with-Fulham.html#ixzz0mUelXrUD