DHDKHJDHJKHJDJKHDKJD

“He had to get to grips with the players he had on the books, finding out which ones he could trust, which ones could do what he wanted, which ones couldn’t – or wouldn’t.

“I always remember what happened to Mamadou Sakho. He looked like he could be the answer long before Virgil Van Dijk was signed – a proper centre-back.

“But he fell out with the manager ahead of a pre-season tour to America – I think he turned up late for the plane – and there were another couple of incidents.

“In the next transfer window, that was it – he was sent out on loan to Crystal Palace.

“Even though Sakho was one of the better defenders. Klopp didn’t care – out he went.

“In that respect, he’s very much like Souness who I played for at Rangers. Graeme would treat all players the same.

“It didn’t matter to him if you were 18 and trying to make your way in the game, or a seasoned international, you were both getting the same treatment. But you sort of knew that with Graeme. He was a tough, seasoned professional who had grown up during a time when you had to know how to look after yourself.

“You don’t necessarily associate that with Klopp.

“You see him on the camera with a grin and a smile, but there’s a ruthlessness about him that’s hidden because of it. And discipline is clearly important to him.

“You need that, particularly when you are trying to win things.

“Everyone has to be pulling in the same direction.

“So, don’t be fooled by the act. Klopp has instilled discipline into that side – and it’s very important when you are trying to win trophies. I can’t remember too many of his current lot stepping out of line, can you?”

Walters still attends matches at Anfield and expects the club to rely on talents coming through rather than sign new players during the summer. He added: “I saw the youth team play Villa in the Carabao Cup.

“They totally dominated in terms of possession, but there wasn’t much of a goal threat – the possession statistic was about 65 per cent in their favour.

“The question is: ‘Who is out there that’s any better than the first XI?’

“There are some like James Milner who are getting older, but I can’t see any of the established players hitting a downwards slope.

“Klopp’s players are dynamic, rarely get injured and his teams score goals.

“For the next two or three years, they’re likely to win the league again, no doubt about that.

“The question is who do they bring in to bridge that gap.

‘To make the team stronger is a big ask but is it now a case of throwing in the kids carefully and bringing them up to speed?

“Potentially, yes. And if you think you have that quality within the club itself, is there any need to go upsetting the balance? I’m not sure there is.”