Rio Ferdinand gives verdict on whether Liverpool can win the Champions League | OneFootball

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes that Liverpool will win the Champions League this season, despite the fact that Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered a defeat to Atletico Madrid last week.

Liverpool lost the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Saul Niguez’s first-half strike ultimately gives the Spanish giants something to defend come the second leg at Anfield on March 11.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid were set up to absorb pressure on the night, regardless of the scoreline. Despite what occurred in the first leg, Ferdinand believes that Liverpool are the “standout favourites” to win the tournament.

“I can’t look no further than Liverpool, if I’m honest,” Ferdinand told BT Sport, as quoted by Metro.

“I think they’ll go through against Atletico Madrid, I think it’s a tough game but I think Anfield gives it a different dimension.

“Bayern Munich looked great yesterday against a team who are searching for form and their own indentity at the moment in Chelsea.

“So they may have peaked a bit early, who knows, going forward they are great but defensively I would be concerned a little bit about Bayern.

“But Liverpool are my standout favourites.”

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Liverpool are the reigning champions, which should give them the confidence that they can progress past Atletico Madrid.

However, Liverpool will have to play much better come the second leg if they are to progress to the next round. The Reds just didn’t show enough urgency in the first leg, but that could simply be down to how well Atletico Madrid played on the night.