Rio Ferdinand has slammed Villarreal after the Spanish side obviously suffered a second-half collapse to allow Liverpool dump them out of the Champions League in the semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

The former England defender ripped into Villarreal for surrendering their two goal lead in the first period which had put them on course for a historic comeback against Liverpool.

But goals from Luis Diaz, Fabinho and Sadio Mane ultimately saw them crash out, and Rio Ferdinand believes the Yellow Submarines practically killed themselves.

The Spanish side also saw one of their key players, Etienne Capoue sent off after receiving two yellow cards, while goalkeeper Rulli also endured a dreadful performance.

Villarreal took their foot off the pedal, all their great work pressurising Liverpool, pinning them back, not giving them any time, but in the second half they played exactly how they played in the first leg and got demolished,” Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport.

“I don’t know how they let them off, was it a conscious decision from Unai Emery? Did they make sure they had a breather? It killed them. Liverpool smelt blood and fair play to them they demolished this Villarreal team,” he said.

Adding to winning the Carabao Cup earlier in the season, Liverpool made history last night, becoming the only English side to have qualified for the Champions League final, Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup final in a single season. They are also on course to win the Premier League.