Rio Ferdinand has deemed three Liverpool players world-class amid the continuing debate over whether Bukayo Saka fits the bill.
Reds trio Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are in Ferdinand’s exclusive 12-man list of footballers who can be considered world-class.
Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah have been consistently brilliant for Liverpool over the years, helping the Reds win the biggest trophies available to them.
The Liverpool trio have been crucial in landing the Champions League, the Premier League, the UEFA Supercup and the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
As well as Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah, the list consisted of Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Harry Kane, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
“I think it’s easier when you put a list together,” Ferdinand said on TNT Sports. “I was talking to Owen Hargreaves about it and when you put list down it becomes easier for me.
“There you see the guys there: Ederson, Alisson, Kyle Walker, Virgil van Dijk, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and the list goes on. You can see there for yourself.”
Ferdinand caused a bit of a stir last week when he said Arsenal’s Saka could not yet be described as world-class.
“He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages,” Ferdinand said on Vibe with FIVE.
“Saka’s top, don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”
Liverpool extend lead at top of Premier League table
While this is a debate that many fans – of Arsenal and also neutrals – will have different views over, it’s nice to hear that Ferdinand deems three Liverpool players in that bracket.
The Reds enjoyed a great Wednesday as they came from behind to beat Luton Town 4-1 at Anfield and go four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool are now in with a chance of winning the first major trophy of the English season as they take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
