Rio Ferdinand hailed Liverpool’s ‘character’ as they were made to ‘struggle’ to take a crucial 2-0 win back to Anfield in the last-16 of the Champions League.
Liverpool showed they are a serious contender to lift the trophy in Saint Petersburg on May 28 as they shut out Italian champions Inter Milan on their own patch, before striking twice in eight minutes in a smash-and-grab win.
Ferdinand called out Manchester United’s stars this week for lacking ‘balls’ in big moments and Liverpool’s display in Milan provided a reminder of the current gulf between the sides at this moment.
‘It’s not about performing, you can’t be 10/10 every game but there has to be moments in games where you struggle, suffer, and it’s about getting through that,’ he told BT Sport on Wednesday.
‘It’s about that character and these players have got that.’
Liverpool’s ‘character’ drew plenty of praise from Rio Ferdinand after their win over Inter Milan
Ferdinand was scathing of Manchester United this week but hailed Liverpool’s will to win
His comments on Liverpool’s character sparked a reminder of his scathing remarks of United prior to their 2-0 win over Brighton on Tuesday.
Ferdinand said on his Five with Vibe podcast: ‘In every game you get a five minute spell or whatever it is, where the other team get hold of the game and you get penned back a little bit whether you like it or not.
‘It’s about having the balls to be able to get through that, the knowhow and I think a big part of that is discipline – I think that’s where we lack compared to top teams.’
For long periods Liverpool looked set to be returning to Anfield with a goalless draw to show for their efforts in Milan – until Roberto Firmino intervened.
The Brazilian got himself onto the end of Andrew Robertson’s corner to nod his side in front in the 75th minute before Mohamed Salah’s deflected strike made it 2-0 eight minutes later to seal the win.
Liverpool were not at their free-flowing best but…
Source : dailymail
