Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, and Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard, have warned Zinedine Zidane, that Liverpool would destroy Real Madrid should they meet in the Champions League final later this month.
Zidane’s men booked their place in a third consecutive final following a fortuitous 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
A dreadful goalkeeping error from Bayern goalkeeper, Sven Ulreich and some wayward finishing ultimately cost the Bundesliga champions victory.
And Ferdinand has warned Zidane that his side could fall like a pack of cards if he persists with a 4-4-2 formation.
Ferdinand told BT Sport, “If Real Madrid go into that game with a 4-4-2 like they did today I think they’ll get picked apart and destroyed in the final.
“I don’t see them doing that. I think they will play with a three in midfield and making sure they don’t get outnumbered in there.
“Winning the midfield battle in these games is a vital area. You get control and then you can pick your punches and start winning games.
“Playing the 4-4-2 system played into Bayern Munich’s hands and they controlled the midfield through Thiago and Tolisso.”
Lampard added, “We kept highlighting areas inside full-backs and down the sides of the centre-halves. We saw it time and time again.
“We know Liverpool’s strength is to get in these areas. If you start imagining players like Salah and Mane, even the full-backs Robertson overlapping that’s where Liverpool are so strong.
“If Real Madrid give them those chances then they can certainly hurt them.”
Liverpool will file out against Roma in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday evening in Rome. The first ended 5-2 at Anfield in favour of Juggen Klopp men.
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