Aston Villa FC v Bologna FC 1909 - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3
TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand (Picture: Getty)
Rio Ferdinand has no doubts that Liverpool are now favourites to win the Champions League but urged them to not get ahead of themselves at this early stage.
Arne Slot’s side huffed and puffed their way to a narrow 1-0 win over Spanish side Girona on Tuesday evening to continue their perfect start to the competition.
That run includes impressive wins against holders Real Madrid and Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
The result also continues the Reds’ impressive form on all fronts given they are also four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand.
Given that form, Ferdinand had no problems labelling the Merseyside club as the current favourites to win the Champions League.
‘Form wise, right now, yes, they have to be the favourites,’ he told TNT Sports.
But the former Manchester United defender, a one-time winner of the competition, insisted Liverpool’s bid to win a seventh Champions League would be anything but a procession.
(L-R) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool FC) and Virgil Van Dijk (
Liverpool have a perfect record in this season’s Champions League (Picture: Getty)
‘But the trophy isn’t handed out at this point,’ he added.
‘The make-up of the squad and the team, physically and mentally, and form-wise and momentum-wise, come March and April, will be very different to what we see now.
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‘I think you kind of have to be a bit patient. They definitely have all the make-up and the markings of a team that can be successful this season.’
Reflecting after the game, Slot insisted he would keep his side grounded and reiterated that his main focus was on securing a top-eight finish to avoid the additional playoff fixture.
‘I have said it many times, but at the end of the season you can judge it in the best possible way – if it’s helpful to end up in the top eight, if it’s helpful to end up as No.1,’ the Dutchman said.
‘Of course, it seems to be really helpful to end up first eight, but if every time you play your starters, which we have done until now almost every time, then you also need the results.
‘We try to do this to, first of all, be in the highest possible position but also to skip the next round.’
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