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Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has asserted that Liverpool could struggle to lift the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League trophy should they fail to maintain their current form.
Earlier on Tuesday (December 10), the Reds registered their sixth straight Champions League win of the ongoing campaign. Mohamed Salah netted a penalty in the 63rd minute of their 1-0 continental win at La Liga side Girona.
After the end of the encounter at Estadi Montilivi, Ferdinand was asked whether Liverpool are indeed the favourites to win the Champions League this campaign. He replied on TNT Sports (h/t TBR):
"Form-wise right now, yes, Liverpool have to be favourites but nothing is handed out at this stage. Form-wise, come March and April time, it could be very different to now. You have to be a bit patient."
Sharing more thoughts on the Merseyside outfit, Ferdinand added:
"Liverpool definitely have the make up and all the markings of a team that can be very successful this season. They just need to ensure they have the form physically and mentally at the back end of the season."
The Reds, who are atop the Premier League standings with 35 points from 14 games, are atop the Champions League standings too. They are on 18 points – five ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and Inter Milan – from six continental games.
Arne Slot opines on recent Liverpool display
Following his team's narrow win at Girona, Reds head coach Arne Slot was asked to share his thoughts on the Merseyside outfit's perfect record in the Champions League this season. The Dutchman replied (h/t liverpoolfc.com):
"If you ask me about all the six games, I'm really pleased with all the results, I am really pleased with the five [other] games with the way we played. I'm far from pleased about the performance tonight."
Revealing that he was unhappy with the Reds' pressing, Slot continued:
"If you play against a team that has such a good idea about football, knows how to bring the ball out from the back, like [Manchester] City or Real Madrid, then you need to be so intense if you want to make it difficult for them. But if every time you are waiting a few seconds before you press, and if you do press, you are so easily outplayed, then this team can cause you a lot of problems."
The Anfield team relished 62% possession, registered 15 shots compared to Girona's 13 shots, and completed 553 passes with 91% accuracy.
The Reds will next host Fulham in the Premier League on December 14.
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Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee