Rio Ferdinand has criticised Liverpool’s tactics against Manchester City, and made a claim about three players.
The Reds were held to a 2-2 draw with Man City in the Premier League on Sunday, with Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane scoring the goals at the Etihad Stadium. That result leaves Liverpool one point behind the league leaders with seven matches left to play.
Jurgen Klopp’s side received plenty of mixed reviews for their choice of tactics against Man City, in particular their traditional high back line. Liverpool did catch the opposition offside five times, but did allow Gabriel Jesus to score with a pass in behind their defence.
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Talking about Liverpool’s tactics, Ferdinand was critical of some of the decision making from the defence against Man City. The former Manchester United defender went on to make a claim involving Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and City forward Raheem Sterling.
“Klopp said it after the game, in so many words, when there is time on the ball, then maybe you do need to drop a little bit,” said Ferdinand, on his FIVE Youtube channel . “And don’t be so brave. That’s a fact.
“You can say it’s brave. The way that they played the nerve that they had. I understand that. To do that is borderline suicidal, at times.
“It could have been two, three or 4-0 in the first-half because of that reason of holding your line and playing a high line.
“With the pace and the machines they have in that team, especially their two centre-backs. They are road-runners.
“You saw when Sterling went through, Virgil van Dijk stood him up one-v-one. Out of respect, Sterling turned out and didn’t go for him.
“If he was playing against someone else, without the reputation, he goes at him and taking a shot. It was unbelievable.”
