Rio Ferdinand hailed Liverpool and Manchester City as a “cut above the rest” as he predicted a two-horse title race.
Following a midweek of Premier League fixtures and a night when Chelsea lost to Wolves and Manchester United and Arsenal drew at Old Trafford, Ferdinand emphasised the difference between the division’s two top sides and the rest.
City extended their lead with a 2-1 win at Watford on Tuesday night but Liverpool maintained the pressure on the leaders with a hard-fought 3-1 triumph at Burnley 24 hours later.
“There is a big difference in class but we knew that coming into this game. Liverpool and Man City are a cut above the rest in this league,” Ferdinand told BT Sport in the immediate aftermath of their live coverage of the United-Arsenal 2-2 draw. “Everyone else is in the chasing pack. Man United are eighth and, looking at the league table, isn’t a pretty sight at all as a Man United fan and the supporters won’t be happy with that.
OPINION
Given that Liverpool have dropped only six points out of a possible 45 this season, it is remarkable they are second in the league and not seven or eight points clear, as they would be in most seasons. The 18-times title winners have had their best-ever start to a league campaign, but still lag behind Pep Guardiola’s champions, who are two points clear. Despite the strides made by Arsenal under Unai Emery, the improved football at Chelsea since Maurizio Sarri took the reins and the consistency of Tottenham, there is a gulf in class and quality between the top two and the rest. As Ferdinand points out, we are looking at a two-horse race this season and the margins between success and failure are brutal. Liverpool knew they had to win at Burnley following City’s win 24 hours earlier, which repeated the events of the weekend when Guardiola’s side played first and won. The demands are intense. The levels are sky-high. It is absolutely captivating to watch.