Rio Ferdinand tips Virgil van Dijk to return to form for Liverpool against Manchester City
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‘Now is his time to silence some people’: Rio Ferdinand tips Virgil van Dijk to aim for a return to form by stopping Erling Haaland’s goal-storming frenzy… he describes the clash of Liverpool v Man City as ‘the perfect game’ for the struggling Reds
- Liverpool take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday at Anfield
- The Reds are already 13 points behind their rivals after a stuttering start
- Top stars, including Virgil van Dijk, are not in shape for the Reds
- Still, Rio Ferdinand insists this could be the perfect match for Liverpool to hit back
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Rio Ferdinand insists Liverpool may not have a better time to play against Manchester City, despite their stuttering start to the season.
The Reds were one of the title favorites in the Premier League but have been slow to come out of the blocks this season, already sitting in 10th place 13 points from Pep Guardiola’s side and 14 points from Arsenal on top.
City’s excellent start to the season was bolstered by the stunning form of summer signing Erling Haaland, who has already scored 15 Premier League goals in just nine games this season.
Virgil van Dijk (above) has been tipped to put himself back into shape by Rio Ferdinand
On paper it looks like Liverpool couldn’t face their closest title rivals at a worse time, but Rio Ferdinand believes it could in fact be a boon for the Reds when the teams meet at Anfield on Sunday.
The former Manchester United centre-back also claims the match is an ideal match for some of Jurgen Klopp’s struggling stars, such as Virgil van Dijk, to get themselves back into shape.
“It’s a great opportunity (for Liverpool),” he told BT Sport. “I used to watch these games when we were a little out of shape and when you go into a big game you have to watch it because this is the perfect game.
Ferdinand believes Liverpool’s upcoming clash with Manchester City could be a perfect match
Ferdinand believes Van Dijk can use the game as a perfect way to prove the doubters wrong with the man who kicked Manchester City hotshot Erling Haaland out of the game
“This is what Liverpool should be thinking. This is Virgil van Dijk’s time to silence a few people, people are now asking him questions, he was almost the invincible at one point, the best player on plant earth right now, the most in shape right now, Haaland is coming to town: “I’m going to put it on him, shut up.” Suddenly the dynamics change and confidence grows and everyone is back on track.
Ferdinand spoke after Manchester City could only muster a goalless draw to Copenhagen in the Champions League, although the result helped cement City’s place in the last-16.
Pep Guardiola chose to rest Haaland for the game ahead of the upcoming match at Anfield, despite his team toiling in front of goal and having to play with 10 men after a first-half red card for Sergio Gomez.
Ferdinand jokingly claimed City was nothing special as the opposition without the Norwegian striker after struggling to break the Danish opposition, many predicted they would beat comfortably.
Haaland stayed on the bench on Tuesday evening to rest for City’s Champions League draw in Copenhagen, Denmark
“Looks like when he’s not playing they are a great average team,” he added before laughing.
Listen, he (Pep) reassured him, looking at the weekend’s game, they needed a draw today to qualify, so all eyes are now on Sunday against Liverpool. They want to take them out and everything is there.’
Liverpool don’t have the luxury of City to rest players in their Champions League group and face pointless Rangers on Wednesday night who still need three points to keep their way to the knockout stages on track.
A defeat at Ibrox, while it wouldn’t be a disaster, would once again invite the Scottish side to advance, along with Ajax who are third in the group and three points behind the Reds, who in turn are three points behind Napoli , who have won all their matches so far.
