Rio Ferdinand believes in Liverpool 'for the first' time after win

Rio Ferdinand now believes in Liverpool after he watched them beat Chelsea 4-1 at Anfield on Wednesday evening. The Reds top the Premier League by five points.

Liverpool comfortably beat Chelsea on Wednesday, putting four past them at Anfield. It could have been more, too, if Darwin Nunez had aimed a little bit more central - he set a new record for hitting the woodwork in a Premier League match.

The Reds were electric, though, and looked firmly like title challengers. That's certainly the impression Rio Ferdinand got as he watched the game for TNT Sports.

Ferdinand loved the fact that Conor Bradley played as well as he did - the strength in depth at Anfield is incredibly strong right now and this showcased that.

"Conor Bradley will totally understand that when Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit, Trent will play," he said. "The manager has that card in his pocket now that he can trust these players and play them.

"If a squad is going to be challenging for multiple trophies you need players that are behind and pushing. They are top of the league and flying and the balance is brilliant.

"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."

Liverpool are playing well above expectations right now - no one thought this squad would click as fast as it has. The Reds replaced their entire midfield, essentially, and have had to put faith in some very inexperienced players.

And that's not to mention the injuries. Andy Robertson has been out for months, Mohamed Salah left for AFCON and then picked up an injury, and Joel Matip is gone for the season.

Yet, Liverpool top the Premier League and look like they're actually improving, rather than slowing down. Ferdinand believes they'll challenge - and he's far from alone in that.