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Rio Ferdinand: Reds looking nervous.

Rio Ferdinand: 'Nervous' Liverpool playing with the handbrake on

The former England international believes that Jurgen Klopp’s side can win a trophy this season but they need to start playing with freedom again.

RIO FERDINAND BELIEVES Liverpool are “playing with the handbrake on” and suggests that their nervousness in the title race is because they haven’t won anything “for years”.

The Reds are currently second in England’s top flight with just a single point separating themselves and leaders Manchester City with eight games to go.

The Meryseyside club haven’t won the title in 29 years and the England international believes lifting the trophy this season is vital to the club’s long-term success.

“They’ve been great this season but they need to take advantage of this opportunity,” Ferdinand told talkSPORT. “They don’t come around all the time.

“What I’ve been seeing from Liverpool in the big matches is a bit of nervousness creep into their game – they’re playing with a handbrake on at times.

“They’re playing a little bit uptight, and it’s understandable because they’ve not won anything for years.

“What has excited everyone about this Liverpool team under [Jurgen] Klopp is the freedom they play with, and at the moment it’s a bit too stop-start for my liking.

“The Premier League is the hardest title to win, at United we were fortunate to win as many times as we did during my spell there.

“You’re competing against some of the biggest and best teams in world football at the end of the day.”

Ferdinand has also backed the Reds to overcome Bayern Munich in European competition on Wednesday night.

The two clubs meet in the second leg of the Champions League last-16 fixture, with the aggregate score currently at 0-0 following the initial meeting at Anfield last month.

“I think Liverpool will be the happier of the two teams going into this leg,” Ferdinand added. “Bayern are going through a transition phase and their best players are still [Arjen] Robben and [Franck] Ribery.

“They aren’t the side they once were, so I’d be very surprised if Liverpool didn’t go through.

“If they get an away goal they can shut up shop, so I’m pretty sure they’ll go through.

“You look at the experience they had last year and I’m sure that will stand them in good stead this time around.

“If they don’t pick up any injuries I think they’ll have a decent chance of winning it.”

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    Mute ✨TOBI✨
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    Sep 14th 2014, 7:07 PM

    The glen should have been thrown out of the championship following the bishopstown match brawl.

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    Mute Tadgh
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    Sep 14th 2014, 10:32 PM

    Don’t worry Douglas will beat them, quality team!

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    Mute ✨TOBI✨
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    Sep 14th 2014, 10:53 PM

    Hopefully lad tricky game tho wouldn’t like to call that one.

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    Mute Tadgh
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    Sep 14th 2014, 10:56 PM

    Ya it’s 50/50 like both sides have quality players, it will be closer then the other semi !! Douglas might just get through. It’s a young team

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    Mute Michael Ruby
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    Sep 15th 2014, 12:35 AM

    Which bishops town instigated.

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    Mute ✨TOBI✨
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    Sep 15th 2014, 6:39 PM

    Yer selector started the whole brawl enjoy paying the fine. Yer always the same

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    Mute Alan Kelleher
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    Sep 15th 2014, 12:11 AM

    Hopefully a Glen v na piarsaigh final

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    Mute Danny O'Callaghan
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    Sep 15th 2014, 7:12 PM

    Btown player started it he ripped hoggies helmet off…Horgan got his red card over turned so unlucky there bud

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