Liverpool are ‘in control’ compared with Manchester United, claims Rio Ferdinand

‘This is a team in control in EVERY situation they are in’: Rio Ferdinand impressed by Liverpool’s comfortable win over Atletico Madrid – as he contrasts it to the ‘disarray’ Man United found themselves in at Atalanta

  • Liverpool breezed into the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday night 
  • Reds have secured a knock-out stage as group winners with two games spare
  • Rio Ferdinand praised Jurgen Klopp’s side for displaying total control this term
  • Another former Manchester United star Dion Dublin also praised the Reds 


Rio Ferdinand has claimed Liverpool have looked much more assured in the Champions League this term compared with Manchester United.

The Reds easily strolled into the last-16 of the competition as group winners with two games to spare on Wednesday evening following a comfortable 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.

It marks an impressive campaign in Europe thus far for Jurgen Klopp’s side who had been put into what looked like a tricky section along with AC Milan, Porto and the Spanish champions.

Liverpool cruised into the last-16 of the Champions League after beating Atletico Madrid 2-0

Rio Ferdinand has praised the Reds for their ability to control matches in any situation

Rio Ferdinand has praised the Reds for their ability to control matches in any situation

But goals from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane saw them take an early lead at Anfield before Felipe was sent off in the first half to give Klopp’s outfit an easy night.

While Manchester United are also on top of their group, it’s much in part thanks to three late goals in the competition from Cristiano Ronaldo who struck in stoppage time on Tuesday to rescue a 2-2 draw at Atalanta – his third goal in the final 10 minutes of a European tie this term.

Former United defender Ferdinand believes Liverpool are showing better in-game management of their fixtures this term, with the Reds now on a 25-match unbeaten run that stretches back to April.

Manchester United meanwhile have been constantly been left chasing games in Europe

Manchester United meanwhile have been constantly been left chasing games in Europe

But three late Cristiano Ronaldo goals has kept them on course for the Champions League last-16, with his latest rescuing a 2-2 draw at Atalanta on Tuesday night

But three late Cristiano Ronaldo goals has kept them on course for the Champions League last-16, with his latest rescuing a 2-2 draw at Atalanta on Tuesday night

‘This is a team in control in every situation they are in,’ Ferdinand told BT Sport.

‘Yesterday with United was disarray in trying to get a point.’  

Another former United player in Dion Dublin echoed a similar sentiment, claiming Liverpool’s preparation and settled team is helping them glide through games.

‘Liverpool just approach these games right – they look very organised and professional,’ he told BBC 5Live.

‘The spine of the side is very strong and very experienced. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson bring experience, while Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane up top and the two centre-halves make it look easy.’



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk