10 April 2023 , 20:40
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Rio Ferdinand has hit back at claims from Jamie Carragher which brought the quality of his former team-mate Nemanja Vidic into question.
Carragher, who came up against Ferdinand and Vidic during his Liverpool days, claimed current Reds defender Virgil van Dijk is "far better" than the Serbian. The ex-England defender also pointed to Vidic's performances against Fernando Torres during the Spaniard's time at Anfield.
This didn't go down too well with Ferdinand, who partnered Vidic in March 2009 when a Torres-inspired Liverpool won at Old Trafford. United still ended that season as title winners, and the pundit made his feelings clear on the matter.
"I see Jamie Carragher tweeted something about Van Dijk being better than Vidic," Ferdinand said on his Five YouTube channel. "I think Torres scored three goals in 15 games against Vidic.
"I think it's a bit of a myth, he had a couple of dodgy moments in those games and he got sent off a couple of times but that's been amplified into saying he got tortured every time he played against Torres which wasn't the case. [Marcus] Rashford's got six goals in 13 games against Liverpool, does that mean he's tortured Van Dijk?"
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Torres scored four goals in 19 appearances against Manchester United - three for Liverpool and one for Chelsea - though Vidic didn't play in all of those games. However, two of the 2009 meetings saw Torres find the net and Vidic get sent off.
Do you agree with Ferdinand? Have your say in the comments section
Fernando Torres got the better of Nemanja Vidic on more than one occasion (AFP via Getty Images)Van Dijk's struggles against Arsenal continued a tough season for the Dutch international. Carragher wasn't getting too worried, though, suggesting the slump shouldn't take away from the previous achievements of the former Southampton man.
"VVD is far better than Vidic, who was a top CB, but have you forgot his performances against Torres?" Carragher tweeted. "Rio [Ferdinand] and JT [John Terry] had poor seasons in their career like all players, VVD is having one now. No CB in the PL era has ever had VVD’s impact on a team."
Gabriel Martinelli's first-half double left Van Dijk and his colleagues playing catch-up on Sunday, only for Mohamed Salah to begin Liverpool's comeback. Salah then missed from the penalty spot, but there was still time for Roberto Firmino to deliver a late equaliser.
Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool have found things difficult at times this season (AP)The result leaves Jurgen Klopp's side some 12 points outside the top four with just nine games to go, leaving their Champions League qualifying hopes hanging by a threat. It was a familiar story for Klopp, and the German admitted as much.
"A bit typical for us this season," Liverpool's manager told Sky Sports after the draw. "An open game, completely open, they score with the first situation and the second one. Our reaction was good. It was a spectacular game in the end. How we didn’t win it with those late chances I don’t know.
I’m caught in between [being happy and not]. I have no problems with drawing. Arsenal were good but they could and should have lost this game. The point for them is better."