Rio Ferdinand has admitted he ‘hated’ Mario Balotelli and ‘didn’t like’ either Luis Suarez or Fernando Torres.
The Former Manchester United defender had a long and heated history with many Liverpool strikers during his 12-year spell at Old Trafford, but left the Red Devils around the same time Balotelli arrived at Anfield. He and centre-back partner Nemanja Vidic were often tormented by Torres during his time on Merseyside, with the Spanish striker scoring in three consecutive fixtures between 2009 and 2010.
And Ferdinand, speaking during his Vibe With Five Youtube show, admitted he disliked all three former players, claiming that Torres left him needing stitches and a painkilling injection after an off-ball incident once.
TRANSFER TALK: Matheus Nunes 'rejects' move to Premier League club as he 'waits' for Liverpool
READ MORE: Full list of games Thiago could miss as Liverpool injury timescale emerges
“I hated Balotelli, hated him,” Ferdinand said. “He did a couple of things I didn’t like with the fans and I thought he was rude. But I chat with him now, lovely geezer. It’s mad because I’d see him after and it would only be respectful. In the games, in the end I respected it, he was an animal on the pitch.
“Didn’t like Suarez, didn’t like Torres. He stamped on my foot one time when the ball was up the other end, stitches in my foot. I was playing, the ball was in the other end, we had some tussles - he was game - he just stamped on my foot.
“Went in at half-time, took off my boot and it was the worst thing I could’ve done. My foot went ‘woof’ I need stitches. I had an injection, for ages it was killing me, got a scar on my foot.”
Ferdinand was a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side during a period where the rivalry with Liverpool was as fervent as ever. The Red Devils were the dominant side in the league during that period, but the tables have turned since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp and departure of Ferguson.
Liverpool now sit atop of European and domestic football alongside Manchester City, while Ferdinand’s former side have remained in stasis for several seasons.
READ NEXT
-
Dermot Gallagher gives verdict on Virgil van Dijk penalty decision against Liverpool
-
Joel Matip has answered Thiago Alcantara question as Liverpool learn nothing new from Erling Haaland
-
Sadio Mane message sent as Liverpool told Darwin Nunez set to take next step
-
BBC pundit makes remarkable u-turn after Liverpool were written off by 20 predictions
-
Liverpool fans have a theory after spotting Dortmund's four-word tweet
