KLOPP ROCKS

Scales backs Jurgen & Co to handle title pressure

Liverpool were winning everything. It’s so different now – there’s a new generation of supporters.

“But for any player coming to play for Liverpool, especially for those with a big price tag, you need to have the personality and strength of character to cope.

“Klopp would have done his homework and it’s already obvious they can handle the pressure and expectation. The problems that previously let Liverpool down are slowly eroding away.”

Klopp signed Brazilian keeper Alisson for £67million while Fabinho, Naby Keita, and Xherdan Shaqiri also arrived in big-money deals to bolster his midfield options. In total the German spent a whopping £170m in the most aggressive window in Liverpool’s history.

Scales says the summer outlay was the only way Liverpool could lay a glove on Pep Guardiola’s City team and end Liverpool’s 28-year wait for the top-flight title. He added: “The signing of Alisson was a bold statement but an essential one that Klopp needed to make. “He now has a top-class keeper and ahead of him is Virgil van Dijk, a quality defender who could go down as one of the Liverpool greats. “There is real strength in depth in midfield with Fabinho and Keita joining, and everyone knows what they can do in attack. “There’s not a better front three on their day than Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah. Their squad has all bases covered.” Former England international Scales added: “Liverpool were way off Manchester City last season but the gap has been closed, so of course they can compete for the title. “I don’t think City will find it anywhere near as easy as last season. They won’t be able to go on such a winning run and I‘m confident Liverpool will be batting with them.”