Liverpool have ‘laid down a marker’ to rivals Man City with statement win over Chelsea, says Rio Ferdinand… as he warns Jurgen Klopp’s men have the look of 2020 title winners

Rio Ferdinand hailed Liverpool‘s statement win over Chelsea and said it had ‘laid down a marker’ to title rivals Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp’s announcement this week that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season had cranked up the heat at Anfield.

And his players responded by thrashing Chelsea 4-1 on Wednesday night to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

He said: ‘I think it’s a good yard stick for where they are in the season. They will have laid down the marker, saying to City you have to come and catch us. 

‘This performance today will definitely make people think the Liverpool we saw five years ago is back now and they have younger, fresher legs.

Dominik Szoboszali (left) and Luis Diaz (right) both scored in an emphatic Liverpool win

Rio Ferdinand hailed Liverpool’s statement win over Chelsea on Wednesday night

 ‘And with that announcement they had during the week, they will have the bit between their teeth.

‘This team tonight, this was the first time I have watched them and thought they could push Manchester City. 

‘When I have watched them previously I thought they weren’t firing on all cylinders. This performance will breed confidence.’

And fellow TNT pundit Joe Cole added: ‘You can see the determination [from Liverpool]. I have seen this team put on some great performances this year but that was as complete a performance as I have seen from them. 

‘I was waiting for the press to slow down in moments but it never did. 

‘I think Chelsea ran into a team tonight that was right at the top of their game.’’

Ally McCoist said: ‘Liverpool were terrific. They were dominant throughout. There were some brilliant performances.’