Rio Ferdinand plays down Liverpool FC’s chances of winning Champions League title
The Manchester United legend believes Liverpool FC don't have the experience to win the Champions League title
Rio Ferdinand has questioned whether Liverpool FC have the necessary experience to win the Champions League title this season.
The Reds secured their place in the Champions League quarter-final draw on Friday following an emphatic win over 2004 champions FC Porto.
Liverpool FC were 5-0 winners against FC Porto in Portugal in the first leg of their last-16 clash thanks in part to Sadio Mane’s hat-trick.
The Merseyside outfit produced a confident performance in a goalless draw with FC Porto in the second leg to secure their last-eight spot.
Liverpool FC haven’t won the Champions League since 2005 under Rafael Benitez when the Reds came from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan on penalties.
Benitez’s men lost 2-1 to AC Milan in the 2007 Champions League final in Athens but haven’t reached the showpiece in the past 11 seasons.
Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund outfit lost 2-1 to bitter rivals Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at Wembley in 2013.
Liverpool FC suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sevilla in the Europa League showpiece in Basel in 2016.
Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand doesn’t believe Liverpool FC have the necessary experience to win the Champions League crown.
“Experience is such a key part of this competition,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“You have to understand certain parts of it, especially in the knockout stages and what a goal means.
“You’ve got to be able to manage games – and game management comes with experience.”
Liverpool FC are in fourth place in the Premier League table and five points behind second-placed Manchester United.
