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Rio left stunned after OT mauling

Team Talk

15th Mar 2009 - Media Watch

Rio Ferdinand admits the hammering Manchester United took at the hands of title rivals Liverpool has given the champions a very rude awakening.

After carrying all before them since their last defeat at Arsenal in November - collecting the Club World Cup and Carling Cup as well as establishing a handsome lead in the Premier League, reaching the last four of the FA Cup and last eight in Europe - United suffered their biggest home defeat by the Merseysiders since 1936.

It has cut United's advantage to four points, although they do still have a game in hand, and given them a few problems to address ahead of next weekend's trip to Fulham, when Nemanja Vidic will be suspended because of his red card.

"We have got a rude awakening," admitted Ferdinand. "None of us has been taking anything for granted but subconsciously there may have been complacency.

"Losing any game is disappointing but losing to a team who we have such a big rivalry with is even worse. And the scoreline takes it beyond that. It is very hard to take."