Keeper who played in League Cup final 23 years ago faces same opponents again

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It's been 23 years since Joe Murphy took the took to Wembley, alongside his Tranmere team-mates for the 2000 League Cup final – and now he's faced the same opponents agin.

Murphy was 18-years-old when he stepped out at the Twin Towers for only the 16th game of his senior career against Leicester City.

The shot-stopper has had quite the career since then: international caps with the Republic of Ireland and over 650 club appearances. However, on Tuesday evening, Murphy, now 42, came full circle.

Murphy stood between the sticks as Tranmere welcomed the Foxes to Birkenhead – the same team and the same competition that the trembling 18-year-old had tried to keep out all those years ago.

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“It’s all a bit surreal. I’ve been full circle club-wise with coming back three years ago to where it all started for me, and now this. It does make you feel old," Murphy told The Guardian ahead of the game.

Amazingly, eight of Tranmere's current side weren't even born when Murphy trotted out at Wembley. "It’s crazy, but nice," he added.

What do you think of Joe Murphy's career coming full circle on Tuesday evening? Let us know in the comments section

Murphy, who returned to Tranmere in 2020, was named among the starters on Tuesday evening. And he kept the Foxes out for almost an hour as Tranmere had their backs against the wall.

It was an unlikely source that finally beat Murphy. Ricardo Pereira weaved into the penalty area before dinking the ball to an onrushing Wilfried Ndidi – who beat Murphy on the half-volley.

Jamie Vardy doubled the lead a couple of minutes later allowing Leicester to see the clash out.

Leicester also notched twice against Murphy back in 2000 – that day it was Matt Elliott who was on target twice.

Murphy played in the Premier League for a brief time before he embarked on a journeyman career that served a healthy dose of deju vu on Tuesday.

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