Danny Murphy told talkSPORT on Monday morning that Everton striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, should ‘understand what your place is’ in England’s squad after his penalty drama involving Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.
Rather than criticise the Liverpool midfielder for taking the spot-kick off the Everton man, which was then saved by Romania’s goalkeeper, Murphy opted to hit out at the Everton player instead.
The former Liverpool man claimed that Calvert-Lewin should be ‘thankful’ for his place in the squad and suggested that he was ‘sulking’ before Henderson took the penalty.
This is what Murphy had to say about the Liverpool and Everton duo after yesterday’s penalty incident:
“I don’t mind that (Henderson taking the ball),” said Murphy. “I couldn’t care less really in a friendly.
“The two penalty takers were off. He’s the captain. He decided I want to take it. He flexed his muscles ‘I am the captain and I am going to take it’. Fine. No problem with that.
“You have got to be careful. You have a place in the squad and you have to understand what your place is.
“Calvert-Lewin if you see the penalty. When Jordan took the penalty, Calvert-Lewin has got his hands on his hips. He doesn’t go for the rebound because he’s sulking because he didn’t take it.
“He has had a wonderful season but he should be thankful that he is there. He didn’t have a great end to the season. You don’t spit your dummy out because your captain is taking the penalty.”
The only goal of the game against Romania actually came from the spot-kick, with Marcus Rashford converting after Jack Grealish was fouled.
But when the next penalty was awarded, not only was Rashford off the pitch, but so was expert set-piece taker, James Ward-Prowse.
And even though it was obvious that Calvert-Lewin was the next penalty taker given that he was the only striker on the field and he was the one who was fouled, it was Henderson who opted to take that responsibility.
But Murphy’s comments about DCL are pretty pathetic because he has earned his place in this England squad after producing his best season in Everton colours during the recently concluded campaign.
He shouldn’t be ‘thankful’ to be representing his country at Euro 2020 because he has earned the right to put on that Three Lions shirt.
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