According to the Daily Mirror, Rio Ferdinand has predicted Liverpool to reclaim their Champions League title and reign supreme as European champions for the seventh time.
MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 01: Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts 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)
The former Manchester United captain is very confident that Liverpool will overcome their 1-0 deficit following the1-0 defeat upon their return to the Spanish capital against Diego Simieno’s Atletico Madrid.
Ferdinand has been very impressed with the likes of Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig and also oversaw Manchester City’s inspiring 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu against record-holders Real Madrid, however, the former England international still believes the Reds are the standout favourites.
The Mirror quotes Ferdinand as saying: “I can’t look no further than Liverpool, if I’m honest, I think they’ll go through against Atletico Madrid. I think it’s a tough game but I think Anfield gives it a different dimension.
“Bayern Munich looked great yesterday against a team who are searching for form and their own identity at the moment in Chelsea.
“So they may have peaked a bit early, who knows – going forward they are great but defensively I would be concerned a little bit about Bayern. But Liverpool are my standout favourites.”
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 19: Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool and Alvaro Morata of Atletico de Madrid in action during the UEFA Champions League football match, round 16, played between Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool FC at Wanda Metropolitano stadium on February 19, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 / Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)
What RTK has to say
With the competition so open this season, all bets are off.
It comes as an unwanted title for the Reds after Joe Gomez revealed to the Daily Mail that Liverpool thrive as underdogs rather than opposed to favourites.
Ferdinand’s backing of Liverpool is the safe bet considering the Reds have ruled the English top-flight this season with an iron fist but back-to-back European Cups is no easy feat.
Of course, Real Madrid won three Champions League titles consecutively very recently but before Los Blancos it was very much unprecedented in the competition’s era.
Liverpool were last able to win back-to-back European titles in 1978 at the old Wembley when the Reds beat Club Brugge 1-0 courtesy of a Kenny Dalglish winner.