Liverpool FC The Champions of Europe

“This team is going to be a feared team in Europe. Nobody wants to pull this team out the hat or play at Anfield.”

So says former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, speaking on BT Sport, after Liverpool became European champions for a sixth time at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Liverpool bounced back from last year’s final defeat against Real Madrid to beat Premier League rivals Tottenham 2-0 in the Champions League final.

It is Reds manager Jurgen Klopp’s first trophy since moving to Anfield in 2015.

Ferdinand added: “Now there’s a fear, they’ve produced big results. This performance won’t be talked about for years to come but not one of those fans will care about the way they played today.

“They got the job done. Jurgen Klopp has been to so many finals and been on the losing side but to get over the line by any means necessary is the way to do it.

“The Spurs players will want to get back here, I’m sure. They’re in the position Liverpool were in last year. Liverpool have done it, they’ve come back and they deserve this.”

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Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen on BT Sport:

“The perseverance has got to be applauded. This team has been a brilliant team for a good few years now and it’s only right that they won a big one.

“I think they will kick on and win more but when you win this trophy you achieve a lifelong ambition. This is a trophy you can look back on for the rest of your life and these players are all legends now.

“Who cares whether they played well or poorly? This team is in an unbelievable cycle right now and they have to win trophies, so why not start with the big one?

“At the start of this season, Liverpool wanted the Premier League trophy. Manchester City are an astonishing team and Liverpool lost nothing in defeat.

“But Liverpool are a great knockout team and they have the tools to go far in every competition. They’re a top, top team now and they’re here to stay.”