Jurgen Klopp's mind games and media tactics are straight from the Sir Alex Ferguson playbook, according to Rio Ferdinand.
In recent weeks Liverpool manager Klopp has deflected attention away from his players with a series of direct views, whether it be on TV schedules or the five substitutions' rule.
His post-match interview following last weekend's draw with Brighton saw him confront BT reporter Des Kelly about the issues.
Ferdinand, the former Manchester United centre-half, believes that Klopp is copying an old ploy from his old manager - and that he is "controlling the narrative" to aid his team.
Speaking on BT Sport following the Reds' Champions League win over Ajax, Ferdinand said: "Sometimes he'd (Ferguson) do a team talk after a game and be as calm as you like and then he'd go out for an interview and we'd see him on the TV screen and he would be going bananas about a decision no-one had even thought about.
"But that took the spotlight off someone else or something else that could derail us.
"He controlled the narrative and I think that's what Klopp is doing very well at the moment.
"Maybe sometimes he's talking about stuff outside of that (game) which can take away from the performance or the little creaks that happen within the 90 minutes."
Fellow pundit and former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch concurred: "Sir Alex Ferguson, over the years, always talked about international football and the fixture list (after games).
"Mourinho too. All the best managers do it and they're trying to get an edge.
"They all want to get one up. I think it helps in the dressing room (that mentality) 'of everyone is against us because we're the best and 'nobody is going to give us any help'.
"I think that helps in the dressing room of you versus us."
