Rio Ferdinand explains why Man Utd are still a bigger club than Liverpool 'by a landslide'
Rio Ferdinand has dismissed the idea that Liverpool are now the biggest club in England after they secured the Premier League title on Sunday.
Despite an early scare through Dominic Solanke, Liverpool cruised to their record-equalling 20th English league title with a 5-1 win at Anfield.
Liverpool now join Manchester United as the most successful club in the English top division, followed by Arsenal with 13 titles, Man City with 10, and Everton with nine.
Following the win, many fans have debated whether Liverpool's title now puts them ahead of their Manchester rivals as the biggest club in the country.
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Despite the Anfield side having double United's European cups, the club's former defender, Ferdinand, is adamant this season changes nothing.
"They're [Liverpool] the most successful club in the land, but they're not the biggest club," Ferdinand insisted on Rio Presents.
"It's a fact. You go anywhere in the world, there are more Man United fans than there are Liverpool fans.
"But that will change if they remain successful and Man United don't. There will be a swing of new fans who adopt successful teams," he added.
Ferdinand did admit that United aren't always guaranteed to be the bigger club, and if the club's fortunes don't change under Ruben Amorim they could slip behind.
"If Liverpool become that over the next 10 years then they have a chance to balance that up, in terms of the biggest club in the world right now. But right now it's a landslide win for Man United in terms of being the biggest in the world," he continued.
"It fries my head. I've got to be honest when I was at Man United, we were miles ahead, won leagues, etcetera.
"We clawed it back and then were ahead. I was part of that and it felt great. And now I'm just sitting and watching it before my eyes, just all sliding away. Liverpool have become more successful in the time since I retired. You've just got to accept it."
However, not every former United star shares Ferdinand's opinion, with Gary Neville admitting Liverpool have already surpassed his former club.
"You have to respect the team that have won the title, they have been the best team," Neville said on Sky Sports.
"The accolade of the most successful club, you could debate it maybe when United were on 20 titles because obviously Liverpool have more European Cups.
"But once Liverpool get level, the painful thing to say is that unfortunately, the debate is over for a period until Manchester United become successful again and win leagues.
"It should cause real tremors over at Old Trafford. The idea that Liverpool - which is obviously a great football club - will be the most successful club in English football after today, that really should cause heartache and pain, because it took a lot to get ahead of Liverpool."
Tom Jenkins