Liverpool continued their perfect record in this season’s Champions League with a narrow win over Girona on Tuesday.
It was not an especially good performance from the Reds, and Arne Slot was not best pleased after the game.
However, it was three more points on the board, which kept Liverpool clear at the top of the table with six wins out of six.
The Reds have been so clinical in the new-look League Phase format of the Champions League, that they actually sit five points clear of any other team.
Naturally, this has led to a belief that Slot is gearing up to win a seventh European Cup in Liverpool history.
But according to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, there is no reason to suggest that the Reds are favourites at this stage.
Liverpool's Egyptian forward #11 Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match be...
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Rio Ferdinand disputes Liverpool favourites tag
There has been no better performing team in Europe this season than Liverpool.
Couple their four-point lead and game in hand at the top of the Premier League with their perfect streak in the Champions League and that is clear.
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It has not just been that they’ve won games, too. It has been the way Liverpool have won them. Most of their points have been collected with relative serenity.
Nevertheless, asked by Laura Woods on TNT Sport whether this makes Liverpool favourites to win the Champions League in May, Ferdinand claimed that it was still too early to say.
READ MORE: Andy Robertson admits Liverpool did something that ‘wasn’t like us’ against Girona
“I always struggle with that at this stage,” said the former centre-back. “Form wise right now, yes, they have to be the favourites but the trophy isn’t handed out at this point and the physical shape of a team, the make up of a team, form and momentum come March, April time is very different to what we see now.
“You have to be a bit patient. Liverpool have all the make-up, the markings of a team that can be successful, but it’s how you get into that area of the season with your team physically which determines where you’re going to be.”
Who can stop Liverpool?
While some Liverpool fans may see this as simply a man synonymous with United throwing shade at their great rivals, Ferdinand is right here.
Despite that, though, looking around at the Champions League table, and Liverpool should not be fearing any side.
Real Madrid beat a difficult Atalanta team on Tuesday and will surely now make the knockout rounds of the competition in which they’ll always be a threat.
But the Reds have already shown how to deal with Los Blancos and would take confidence from that November win at Anfield.
Aside from the champions, Man City will always be difficult over two legs and Liverpool would no doubt want to avoid Arsenal, too.
But along with the likes of Inter Milan, Barcelona and perhaps Bayern Munich, none of those teams are operating on the Reds’ level this term. There is no one to fear.
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