Rio Ferdinand says the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City will be “licking their lips” at the prospect of facing Liverpool in the Champions League.

Jurgen Klopp’s side comfortably saw off RB Leipzig 4-0 on aggregate to make it through to the next round, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane securing a 2-0 Anfield win on Wednesday.

But Ferdinand has explained why Liverpool has no hope of winning the competition this season in a conversation with Michael Owen on BT Sport.

Owen said in the studio: “You can rule out certain teams in the Champions League but you can’t rule out Liverpool.

“OK form isn’t there at the moment but it was a stepping stone tonight.

“Just as quickly your form can go it can come back and there are not many teams you can say are definitely good enough to win. Liverpool is good enough to win.”

But Ferdinand replied: “Not with that defence though. Come on.”

Owen said back: “Rio, there’s still a long time to go. Matip might be back. I agree, this moment in time, Manchester City are a better team than Liverpool.

“But as quickly as it can go wrong it can come back again.”

Ferdinand retorted: “If Van Dijk and Gomez ain’t there they don’t win the Champions League, for me.

“There’s Bayern, Man City, PSG. Those teams will be licking their lips if they come up against a centre-back pairing like that at this level.”