Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool after they took a gigantic step towards reaching the Champions League final with a 2-0 semi-final first-leg win over Villarreal at Anfield.
After a goalless first-half, the Reds took the lead through Pervis Estupinan's 53rd-minute own-goal before Sadio Mane doubled their advantage just moments later. It was a terrific display from Klopp's side, who dominated from start to finish and limited the visitors to very few clear-cut opportunities.
Liverpool are set to travel to Newcastle United in the early Saturday kick-off before facing Villarreal in the second leg in Spain on Tuesday, where they will be confident of booking a place in next month's final. The Reds could still win the quadruple, having already lifted the Carabao Cup, and are set to take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley on 14 May.
In the Premier League, they sit one point behind leaders Manchester City with five games to play. Pep Guardiola's men, however, could find themselves behind Liverpool before they travel to Leeds United in the late Saturday kick-off.
It is poised to be a fascinating final month to the season as both sides battle to win a number of trophies, with City beating Real Madrid 4-3 in the other semi-final first leg. But following Liverpool's midweek triumph, Ferdinand lauded the work Klopp has done to make them "relentless with and without the ball" - and he even believes they can move clear of City.
"This is the best Liverpool team I’ve ever seen. They’re relentless with and without the ball," Ferdinand told BT Sport.
Will Liverpool win the quadruple? Let us know in the comments below!
"It’s the way they press teams, the energy, effort, application, you marvel at it. That [the quadruple] has got to be the aim. They are going to set themselves the target. If they achieve it, they’re immortal, they are above anyone that has played the game in this country. Whether they can achieve it remains to be seen. But they’re ticking boxes along the way at the moment."
Former Liverpool and Manchester United forward Michael Owen agreed with Ferdinand's claim about the Reds and admitted there is a high possibility they could win the quadruple. He said: "It's the best team I’ve ever seen in a red shirt. Imagine it [the quadruple]. It’s impossible... but now you’re thinking can it happen? The way they’re playing, the belief, you’re thinking can it happen?"
