DANNY Murphy believes Roy Hodgson, his manager at Fulham, is the ideal man to take charge of Liverpool.

Hodgson is expected to be named today as Rafael Benitez’s successor at Anfield on a reported two-year contract.

And Murphy feels the return to an English manager - following Frenchman Gerard Houllier and Spaniard Benitez - is a good move as his former employers look to reclaim a place in the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

"Liverpool need someone who has an understanding of the history and heritage that lies behind the club and what it means in the context of English football," he told the Daily Mirror.

"People spoke about (Jose) Mourinho but I personally didn’t see him as an ideal fit with Liverpool because right now, they need someone who has an empathy for the club.

"I admire Roy Hodgson. He has a philosophy of playing good football which will fit well at Liverpool, and he gives players responsibility and a platform to work from.

"Maybe it is time Liverpool had an English manager who knows about the club."