Murphy chooses Liverpool

Football

Danny Murphy signed last night for Liverpool, in the process becoming the latest player to turn down Tottenham. Murphy, who played a prominent role in the recent World Youth Championships, spoke to both clubs after a package worth pounds 2.7m was agreed with Crewe, before agreeing a four-year deal with the team he supported as a boy.

Murphy, who lives in Chester, is also friendly with a couple of Liverpool's younger players and that played a part of his decision.

Liverpool will pay pounds 1.5m down plus instalments that could almost double the fee. The deal is a record sale for the First Division's new arrivals.

Spurs were hoping to sign Murphy to make up for losing out to Atletico Madrid on Juninho. Murphy will be officially unveiled on Thursday when Liverpool also hope to be able to parade Paul Ince if the final details of a pounds 4.25m move from Internazionale are ironed out.

Martin Dahlin's move to Blackburn Rovers was breaking down last night, because his girlfriend is not keen to move to Lancashire.

The Swede has agreed terms on a pounds 2m move from Roma to Rovers and can earn pounds 1m a season for three years. However, Dahlin is stalling on signing because of his domestic problem. His girlfriend, a fashion designer, is reluctant to move unless she can stay in London. Blackburn have given Dahlin until Thursday to sign.

One piece of good news was that the club has received a work permit for the Swiss centre-back, Stephane Henchoz.