Ste McGovern
Rio Ferdinand believes the home crowd fed into the Liverpool player’s nervousness during their 1-1 draw with Leicester City at Anfield.
Liverpool got off the mark in the third minute through a Sadio Mané goal, but failed to build on that lead thereafter and conceded a Harry Maguire equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
The former Manchester United defender said the crowd’s reaction fed into the player’s performance, stunting their ability to get back into the game and get a vital win:
"They looked nervous, the crowd were nervous and that fed into the players."
A missed opportunity Liverpool, but they're still clear of Man City by five points. pic.twitter.com/jkw8mlXbE8
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 30, 2019
“I think they looked nervous,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“Bar the first few minutes where they got the early goal, I think the crowd were nervous.
“That fed into the players and that’s something that I think Klopp won’t be worried about, but will address that I’m sure in the coming days.”
Despite dropping two points, Liverpool actually extended their lead in the Premier League table to five points due to Man City‘s shock 2-1 loss to relegation-threatened Newcastle United.