‘Disrespectful to Real Madrid’ Rio Ferdinand responds to Michael Owen’s argument that Liverpool are still the best after UCL loss
Rio Ferdinand has reacted angrily to Michael Owen’s assertion that Liverpool remain the finest side in Europe despite losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
Despite having the better opportunities, Liverpool lost 1-0 against Real Madrid in Paris. They couldn’t get past Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was having the game of his life. He stopped Mohamed Salah three times and was unstoppable all night.
Even so, Real deserves credit for getting the job done. They defeated Manchester City in the semi-finals and also defeated Chelsea in the quarter-finals. Nonetheless, Owen maintained that Liverpool were the finest.
“I still think they’re the best team in Europe, I really do,” Owen told BT Sport after the game. “On other occasions they’d be getting their name etched in the trophy.”
Ferdinand quickly jumped in and sprayed cold water on Owen’s claim. “How can you say they’re the best team in Europe? They’ve just lost the league and the Champions League final,” he added.
Owen went on to remark that Liverpool had a fantastic season and that they are still the “team to beat.” There is no dispute about Liverpool being a top team, according to Ferdinand. However, he feels that in order to be the top team in Europe, you must win the trophy.
“I don’t think they’re the best team in Europe,” he added. “I think you’ve got to win the biggest trophies to be considered the best. They’re an unbelievably exciting team. The points tally they’ve got in the league, the consistency in which they’ve played, they’ve competed in every single game available to them.
“But you’ve got to get your hands on the big trophies to be called outright the best team in Europe.”
Ferdinand also believes it is incorrect to call Liverpool the top team in Europe after their loss to Real Madrid.
“I don’t think they’ll be considered that and it would be disrespectful to Real Madrid to say that,” he said. “They’ve just beaten all our top three teams in our league, they’ve got rid of them and got their hands on that trophy.”
Real Madrid not only won the Champions League, but they also dominated at home. They won La Liga in spectacular fashion. Barcelona, in second place, trailed by 13 points.
Real Madrid now has 14 European Cups to their name after defeating Liverpool.
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‘Disrespectful to Real Madrid’ Rio Ferdinand responds to Michael Owen’s argument that Liverpool are still the best after UCL loss
