CALL ME KLOPPY BALBOA

Reds set for heavyweight title scrap with City and boss reckons: We’re Rocky not Ivan Drago, but remember... Rocky won!

Liverpool v West Ham Anfield, tomorrow, 1.30pm

JURGEN KLOPP claims Liverpool can take the Rocky road to success. The Reds’ big-spending boss insists champions Manchester City are still the heavyweights in the title race and said: “We are still Rocky Balboa, not

THE future is bright, the future is Unai Emery.

The new Arsenal boss, asked if Arsene Wenger had been in touch, responded by saying his way would be the new way at the club.

The squad will train at the Emirates today for tomorrow’s opener against Manchester City – a departure from the traditional methods of his predecessor Wenger.

Pre-season training has included intense double sessions and players can brace themselves for the hairdryer treatment if they do not reach the high standards set by the former Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla manager.

“It’s a new way, a new process,” said Emery. “The past is very important for this club and the people who work here.

“But we’re starting a new way, a new process with the same players and the new players, the new coaches.

“We’re keeping a lot of the good ideas that were working here but improving tactics with my ideas and spirit and energy, while together creating a new way, a new process at Arsenal.”

Emery has had plenty of work to be getting on with. City beat the Gunners – home and away – with the minimum of fuss last season.

Arsenal finished out of the top four and saw bitter rivals Tottenham take a Champions League place.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men have finished above them for the past two seasons.

For so long some Gunners players have been regarded as snowflakes, shining during good times and melting under pressure.

Emery (right) added: “We’re working. I believe in myself, in these players and in the club.

“But then we will see on Sunday on the pitch how the team responds against Manchester City.”

For some sections of the Arsenal faithful, recent campaigns have started amid recrimination and disillusionment with Wenger still being at the club. This time round it is beginning with promise and excitement.

Defenders Stephan Lichtsteiner (left, top) and Sokratis Papastathopoulos (left, bottom), midfielder Lucas Torreira and goalkeeper Bern Leno have been recruited to address areas in which the club was deficient.

Now Emery want fans to buy into his approach as he tries to lift Arsenal back into the top four and make them title contenders.

“I think every player, every coach, every supporter is excited about Sunday and watching the match,” he said. “I hope the best performance will be ours.”