Ex-Liverpool star and Match Of The Day pundit 'lost £5m through financial abuse' amid investment scandal targeting former players

Murphy, who also played for Tottenham and Fulham across his glittering playing career, has admitted to losing around £5 million after falling victim to "financial abuse". The total investment from Murphy and the 200 other players in Kingsbridge Asset Management reached a whopping £417m, before their failed venture led to bankruptcy - as reported by The Sun. 

Murphy and 11 other footballers, including ex-Arsenal star Michael Thomas, are being chased by the tax authorities, despite them being labelled as "victims of crime" in the police investigation. Murphy and his colleagues are now calling for protection from tax charges.

Speaking to the BBC, Murphy said: "It's the shame, embarrassment and guilt of getting yourself in a position that you think you're better than. I've lost four - maybe five - million, roughly. The financial abuse I've suffered has caused me monumental problems in my life."

He added: "The financial abuse in football and the dark side of football is something that has gone under the radar for too long."

Premier League action will resume after the international break as gameweek four kicks off with Arsenal taking on Nottingham Forest on September 13.