Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has backed Liverpool to retain their Champions League crown after the Reds comfortably progressed into the knockout stages of the competition as winners of Group E.
The European champions will be in the mix for Monday’s last-16 draw alongside fellow English club’s Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in Nyon, Switzerland.
MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 01: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates with the Champions League Trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 01, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Liverpool will be placed in the top seed having progressed as victors in the group stages and could face any of the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund or Lyon.
Looking ahead to next week’s draw, Ferdinand was questioned who he thought would lift the famous trophy come May and his comments on BT Sport will certainly delight Liverpool supporters.
Having claimed Ole Big Ears for a sixth time after triumphing against Spurs in Madrid whilst comfortably sitting at the Premier League summit, Liverpool are the team to beat in the competition this season according to Ferdinand.
“They have got that mentality now. They were on the cusp of winning for a few years and they got over the line last season”, Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“They look like they are going to win the Premier League and they have that mentality that they aren’t going to lose. They know they are going to win.”
MOSCOW – MAY 21: Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs of Manchester United lift the trophy following their team’s 6-5 victory in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium on May 21, 2008 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
What RTK has to say
Ferdinand’s comments are a stroke of class considering the rivalry shared between both parties over the years.
The Champions League-winning captain knows exactly what it takes to dominate on all-fronts continentally as well as domestically.
Ferdinand was famously part of the team that won both the Premier League and the Champions League in 2008, an ambition that Liverpool hope to make a reality come June.
There have been comparisons with Ferdinand’s former team with Klopp’s current Premier League leaders. Both sides share the same relentless approach alongside a pragmatism that has seen so many late goals to decide crucial matches.
Ferdinand knows exactly what it takes to win the biggest trophies in the game and if he is backing Liverpool it should serve as good omens for Kopites as Klopp’s team look to establish a Golden Age for the club.