Reception for Rio Ferdinand outside Anfield shows how times have changed

Times have changed.

Rio Ferdinand may, in the not too distant past, have expected such a warm welcome on his arrival to Anfield. Having played with total commitment, for West Ham, Leeds and Manchester United, against Liverpool for over 15 years, Ferdinand spent most of his adult years copping an earful on trips to the famous, old ground. He always enjoyed playing the Reds too and scored a couple of vitals goals against them, as well as helping the United defence keep them scoreless at the other end. Ahead of the new season, he painted a nightmare scenario for United, and himself, where they finished well back of Jurgen Klopp's side. He told The Mirror:

I’m a United fan, and I want to see them win the title, but I fear it’s going to be very difficult for that to happen this season. “I can’t see past City and Liverpool as the top two — and to say that about the two clubs who wouldn’t be top of any United fan’s Christmas card list is horrendous.

Ferdinand was at Anfield on Tuesday night, on punditry duty for BT Sport. He was impressed with many aspects of Liverpool's play as they defeated PSG 3-2 in their Champions League clash. He was not too happy with some of PSG's top stars, saying:

"This just really shows to young players that are watching the game that no matter how much talent you have as an individual, you have to buy into the team work ethic. You have to buy into the structure of the team for you to be able to then have the platform to play as well. "On far too many occasions we saw Neymar, not only him but Mbappe as well, too narrow, not worrying about their defensive responsibilities at all. "This team disappointed us today. I said before it was like a testimonial, the pace in which they played the game. So they have to change that if they’re going to be any type of contender. I don’t see them as a contender."

Liverpool's breathless attacking press must have helped get Ferdinand onside, but his warm and fuzzy welcome to Anfield, earlier that day, can't have harmed. A long-reviled United defender, and former captain, getting asked for autographs and posing for selfies with Liverpool fans - wonders will never cease. https://twitter.com/rioferdy5/status/1042105747121860609 Nice show of reverence and respect for Ferdinand.