Champions League: Liverpool win vs Bayern sees Rio Ferdinand claim English football set for new era of dominance

The former United defender has been impressed by the progress of the English sides in Europe this season

Rio Ferdinand believes English football is on the cusp of a new era of dominance after four Premier League sides qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United are all in the last eight, the first time England’s full contingent have made it to that stage in a decade.

And the former United star believes there is a new cycle in European football with English sides set to feature prominently in the latter stages of the competition.

“We mentioned the cycle before the game and it seems like it’s turning in England’s favour,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.

“Four teams have come through. No, it wasn’t a great performance from Liverpool. We’ve seen them play better but at this stage, knockout football is not about performing sometimes.

“It’s about coming here and getting a win. Listen, I wouldn’t put this Bayern team up there with the teams I’ve seen over the last five to eight years but it doesn’t matter.

“They’ve still got the history. They’ve got pedigree and the talent in their team and this Liverpool team came here and won and it’s a great sign and [Sadio] Mane was the difference.”

The English quartet will now wait to learn their quarter-final fate with the draw set to take place on Friday.