The 24-year-old midfielder was one of seven Liverpool players named in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 25-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Albania. "I'm thrilled at the news,'' said Murphy. "It came as a shock and it was our manager Gerard Houllier who rang me to tell me I was in.

"I must admit it is unexpected because it's so early in the season and if it was going to happen I felt it may have come along once the England manager had been given the chance to see everyone's form.

Should he play in either of the games, Murphy will not be overawed by the big occasion having figured in the starting line-ups Liverpool in the FA Cup final, the UEFA Cup final and against Manchester United for the Charity Shield.

He played over 50 games for Liverpool last year during a campaign which saw them achieve their famous cup treble.

"Last season I played games, scored goals, and my confidence has grown. I have worked hard to get where I am," commented the Chester-born midfielder who has come up through England's youth ranks.

"I've had calls from a lot of the Liverpool lads saying `well done' and in particular Steven Gerrard, who is my club room-mate. Maybe we will end up as room-mates for England now.

"What is good is that there are so many Liverpool players in the squad and they will be able to help me settle in.''

Murphy also joins a lengthening list of former Crewe players who have made their way into the England squad following their time with Dario Gradi at Gresty Road. Others include David Platt, Rob Jones, Geoff Thomas and Seth Johnson.

Murphy, who was watched by Sven-Goran Eriksson on Monday night as Liverpool took on Bolton, is thrilled by the prospect of travelling to Munich later this week for Saturday's crucial Group Nine showdown with Germany.

"I don't really know what will happen now or whether I will get a chance to play. "But at the moment I am just enjoying the fact that I am in the squad for the first time.''