- Liverpool have made a fantastic start to the Arne Slot era at the start of the season
- Slot’s side lead the Premier League title race and welcomed Real Madrid to Anfield
- Liverpool correspondent LEWIS STEELE tells all on bombshell chat with Mo Salah – LISTEN NOW to It’s All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Rio Ferdinand accused Steve McManaman of poking fan at his former side Manchester United in the build up to Liverpool’s mouth-watering Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
The Reds are looking to continue their perfect start to the Champions League under Arne Slot, having won all four of their games in the competition so far this season, ahead of their clash with Los Blancos.
Real come in as the reigning champions, but they face a side under Slot that have made a fantastic start to the campaign across all front.
In fact, so impressive has their first three-and-a-bit months in the Slot era been, that McManaman, who played for Liverpool from 1990 to 1999, revealed that he was surprised by just how strong his former side have been thus far.
‘I thought that it’d be seamless (Liverpool’s transition),’ admitted McManaman. ‘I didn’t expect the results to go as well as they have done.
‘We expected a blip now and again – the fact it has only happened to Nottingham Forest and Arsenal away is very surprising.
Steve McManaman aimed a light-hearted joke at his co-pundit Rio Ferdinand on Wednesday night
Ferdinand joked McManaman was ‘having a dig at Man United’ following the former Liverpool star’s comments
The Reds welcomed historic rivals Real Madrid to Anfield in the Champions League on Wednesday
‘They’ve been dominant in the league and been fortunate with other clubs dropping points. It’s been absolutely excellent.’
Ferdinand then interrupted: ‘ Why did you think it would be seamless?’
‘I thought the sporting directors were going to bring in the type of manager who would match the team,’ continued McManaman.
‘They were not going to bring in a manager who would change the starting 11, changing the way they play, or change the formation.’
However the former Manchester United centre half felt he detected something of a jib from the Liverpool legend, the two clubs sharing a storied rivalry throughout the history of English football.
As such, he retorted: ‘Is that a dig? He’s having a dig at Man United already? What are you doing?’
United recently brought in Ruben Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag as their head coach, with the Portuguese boss famously favouring a 3-4-3 approach, which is very different to the 4-2-3-1 often seen under the Dutchman.
McManaman continued, insisting that while the Reds were competitive across multiple fronts under Jurgen Klopp, the transition to the new epoch at Anfield had been ‘seamless’.
Liverpool have made a stunning start to life under Arne Slot and are leading the Premier League title race after 12 games
‘I always thought the team last year were excellent until April. They were vying for all the trophies. So I didn’t expect them to collapse just because the manager’s gone,’ he continued.
‘If the manager goes and someone comes in, you don’t automatically throw in the towel. As a professional, you want to go out and win every single game and that’s what Liverpool do.
‘I think it was always going to be seamless but the level of results has surprised me from Liverpool. They’ve been outstanding.’
Liverpool have led the way in the title race in the last few weeks, and have now stretched their advantage to eight points from second place Manchester City, who are going through a six-game winless run in all competitions.
Meanwhile United’s new era is only just beginning, with Amorim taking charge of his first game on Sunday.
The Red Devils travelled to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town, where they were held to a 1-1 draw.
