Liverpool decision to furlough staff would 'disgust' Dalglish, claims Murphy

Danny Murphy has hit out at Liverpool's 'grotesque' decision to furlough non-playing staff – and claims icon Sir Kenny Dalglish will be 'disgusted' by it.

Liverpool have come in for significant criticism after the announcement on Saturday that they would be placing around 200 employees on the government's job retention scheme.

While they have promised that they will top up the 80 per cent they will receive from the government with the rest of their pay, this has not stopped a significant backlash.

Jamie Carragher and Dietmar Hamann both slammed their former club, with Piers Morgan weighing in on Monday morning.

And now former Reds midfielder Murphy has joined the chorus, suggesting it goes against 'everything the club has built since Bill Shankly'.

'It's hard to imagine how they've come up with this,' Murphy told Talksport.

'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.

'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!'

Sportsmail reported on Monday that owners Fenway Sports Group – run by John W Henry and Tom Werner – are valued at around £5billion.

The club also announced in February that they had produced profits of £42million in the last financial year.

Now Murphy has asked chief executive Peter Moore to reconsider the decision and dip into the club's bank balance.

'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 be paying that when football can pay it and look after itself? That government money could be used elsewhere!'