Liverpool, after 5 years out of the European champions League will be returning to vie for the title this season.
Scholes, a member of Manchester United side that won the 2008 title expects Anfield to be a tough ground for visiting sides.
Speaking in his role as a pundit for ITV’s Champions League coverage, the 39-year-old said:
“Liverpool are the dark horse of the competition this year.
“Brendan Rodgers has done a fantastic job. The style of play he’s adopted is exciting to watch and the players seem to have taken to him. I feel they will do well with the players they have.
Liverpool finished close runners up to Manchester City in the EPL to qualify for the Champions League.
The Merseysiders begin their campaign on Wednesday by hosting Bulgarian champions Ludogorets, they will also play Real Madrid and Swiss side Basle in Group B.
Luiz Suarez was a key player in Liverpool’s squad last year, but he moved to Barcelona. Scholes stated that Mario Balotelli who signed
with the Red Devils will replace the void left by Suarez.
“He’s a great player, but don’t forget they’ve signed Balotelli who, on his day, can be a match winner too,” said Scholes.
Premier League defending champions Manchester City begins it’s campaign against 2013 Champions League winners Bayern Munich on Thursday and will also face CSKA Moscow and Roma.
City reached the knockout stage for the first time last term and Scholes believes:
“Champions League will be their main focus for the season. Their owners will want to see them push on in the Champions League.
“They have a tough group this year, but with the players they have they need to go on to win it, and there’s really little excuse not to do well.”
Scholes doubts the odd of Arsenal which faces Borussia Dortmund, Anderlecht and Galatasaray, winning the title.
He said: ‘They always qualify and always seem to get through the group. The only problem with Arsenal is when they meet top teams, they don’t seem to have the consistent level of mental strength to get through it.’
Chelsea had shown strength at the start of the Premier League and Scholes believes Jose Mourinho’s priority is to win it.
He said: ‘Whilst The Champions League is the ultimate trophy for any club team, I believe Chelsea’s main objective is winning the Premier League this season.
“If you ask Jose Mourinho what you’d rather win now, I think the answer would be the Premier League.”
Speaking about Manchester United, his former club which failed to qualify for the tournament He said:
“Maybe, but there’s still a lot of major clubs in it.
“Let’s just hope it’s one year, you have to earn the right to be in it and they haven’t done that for this season.”