Jurgen Klopp has lamented ‘idiots’ questioning Liverpool’s title run-in resolve.
Sunday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea ensured the Reds returned to the Premier League summit, having played a game more than closest challengers Manchester City.
The visit of Maurizio Sarri’s side was widely tipped as a significant hurdle for Liverpool in their continued bid to end a 29-year wait to be crowned champions.
But Klopp insists that his players are showing that they can handle the pressure as they head to Cardiff next weekend for their first of four final games.
He said: “The biggest challenge for us is always facing the world outside, you and other people. We don’t think like that. We play our game.
“‘If City lose today, and we find out five minutes before the game, somebody tells us ‘City lost!’ but that’s not a help. You lose your focus then.
“We only try to collect as many points as possible. What is it now, 85? Four games to play [can give us] 97.
“Let’s try, and if that’s enough, then perfect. If not, we cannot change it.
“Very smart people will come out and say, ‘Yeah, if you would have won against Leicester City [in January] you would be champions.’ It’s all bulls***.
“People and idiots bring something like this up.”