Jose Mourinho believes that Rafa Benitez is under real pressure to deliver the Premiership title for Liverpool.

The Reds have not won the title in 17 years and Mourinho feels that Liverpool have no excuse if the fail to win the Premiership this season, after spending around £40million during the summer transfer window.

“The pressure is a bit higher [on Liverpool] because, at this moment, they cannot point at other people,” said the Chelsea boss.

“In other years, they could say: ‘Oh, these guys, they’ve spent a lot of money so they have to win’. This season, they have to talk differently. They have high responsibilities and high expectations.

“In the last three years, it’s been Chelsea and Manchester United in the league, and it’s been a long time since Liverpool won the Premiership. So they really want it.

“I heard something earlier this summer - [Steven] Gerrard, [Jamie] Carragher and [John Arne] Riise saying it has to be this season. That’s normal, and positive. I cannot complain about that. Everybody wants to achieve it.

“We want it too, no problem. But it’s been four years with Benitez and they want the Premiership. They don’t hide it - Benitez, the players, they all speak about winning the title.

“I think winning nothing last season was frustrating for them, but they’ve got a good squad and good players, so they’ll be better.”