Paul Merson used his latest column for Sky Sports to voice a growing unease about Liverpool’s start to the campaign, while also casting doubt on the club's recent high‑profile signings, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. The former Liverpool striker, now a pundit, painted a picture of a side that, despite remaining unbeaten, appears far from satisfied after a goalless stalemate with Fulham at Anfield that left the Reds perched in seventh place after four league fixtures. The draw against Fulham was Liverpool's third draw in their opening quartet of Premier League matches, a statistic that has not gone unnoticed by fans and analysts alike. The match, which ended 0‑0, was described by Sky Sports’ Adam Bate as an "unbeaten but unsatisfied" performance, underscoring the sense that the team is struggling to convert possession and pressure into tangible results.
Merson echoed that sentiment, noting that the lack of goals is beginning to feel like a headline‑grabbing issue rather than a one‑off hiccup. Looking ahead, Liverpool face a Tottenham Hotspur side that has also been under pressure in the Carabao Cup, with the tie scheduled for Tuesday. Both games – the league clash against Tottenham and the cup encounter – will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, providing a perfect platform for the Reds to prove they can break the deadlock before the international break arrives.
Merson’s concerns extend beyond the immediate results. He questioned whether new manager Andoni Iraola, who arrived from Bournemouth, is finding the transition to Anfield more challenging than anticipated. While he offered no disrespect to Bournemouth, Merson pointed out that a 0‑0 home draw against Fulham would not have made headlines for a club of that size, but for Liverpool it is a glaring sign of something amiss.
"He’s got to let the shackles off, open it up a bit," Merson urged, suggesting that the manager needs to loosen the tactical constraints that may be stifling the team's attacking fluency. The former midfielder also highlighted the widening gap between the league’s elite and the rest of the pack. He observed that Manchester City and Arsenal have already established a massive gulf in quality, making it increasingly difficult for clubs like Liverpool to keep pace.
"You watch the games now, every weekend that goes past, Man City and Arsenal are so far ahead of everybody else. It's mind‑blowing how big the gulf is," he wrote, emphasizing the urgency for Liverpool to find a way to close that distance. When it comes to the club’s marquee acquisitions, Merson admitted to being a fan of Florian Wirtz, describing him as a "special player" with a bright future. Yet he confessed that the German midfielder has not yet delivered the impact expected, stating, "I don't know how long they can wait on Florian Wirtz.
It just isn’t working." Similarly, he expressed reservations about Bradley Barcola, noting that while the French winger possesses impressive speed, Liverpool does not necessarily need a player whose primary attribute is raw pace. "If you asked me what Barcola's game is, it's quickness. But at Liverpool you don’t have to be the fastest man in the Premier League. You need a bit more," Merson argued, suggesting that the club might benefit more from a player with greater tactical guile and creativity.
He referenced Mohamed Salah as an example of a player who combines speed with a high degree of technical cleverness, a quality he feels is currently lacking. Merson also critiqued Liverpool’s overall tactical approach, lamenting that the team often resorts to a defensive shell, with players stationed behind the ball rather than adopting a proactive, attacking mindset. This, he warned, could become a chronic issue if not addressed promptly.
Reflecting on a recent encounter with Everton, Merson praised Liverpool’s early display, saying the first 15‑20 minutes were "outstanding" and that the passing and movement caused genuine problems for the opposition. However, the failure to convert that early dominance into a goal, he argued, allowed the confidence of the team to waver.
"When they don’t get that goal, then that mindset sets in again," he noted, emphasizing the psychological component of scoring early and building belief. Confidence, according to Merson, is the cornerstone of any successful football side, regardless of age or level. "If you can bottle one thing, it’s confidence," he said, stressing that Liverpool currently lack the self‑belief needed to win matches consistently.
This lack of belief, he believes, is a key factor behind the recent draws and the team’s inability to finish off chances. Turning his attention to the broader league landscape, Merson expressed confidence that Arsenal will dominate the title race, predicting a double‑digit points gap over their rivals.
He highlighted Arsenal’s challenging fixtures – away trips to Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool – as evidence that even the toughest opponents will struggle to topple the Gunners. "They’re just a hard, hard team to beat. I don’t see them losing many matches this season," he asserted.
Merson also praised Arsenal’s mental fortitude, noting that the team appears to have shed any lingering reputation for "bottling" crucial moments. He described their recent performances against Aston Villa and Sunderland as calm, patient, and decisive, with the team consistently finding the net while opponents fail to respond. Despite his optimism for Arsenal, Merson remained realistic about Liverpool’s situation. He acknowledged that the Reds possess a wealth of talent and are guided by one of the best managers in the business, but admitted they are currently experiencing a “little bit of a time.” He referenced a disappointing result against Nottingham Forest, where Liverpool dominated possession but failed to score, as a warning sign.
Nevertheless, he was confident that relegation is not a realistic threat for a club of Liverpool’s stature. Looking ahead to the upcoming Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham, Merson stressed its importance as a potential momentum‑shifting fixture. "It’s a huge game.
Down at the bottom, if you’re down there, you’re down there. I don’t worry about Tottenham or Villa, but I think it’s a big game for both teams because it’s a momentum swinger," he wrote. A victory could provide Liverpool with the much‑needed boost heading into the international break, while a loss might deepen their early‑season woes. In summary, Paul Merson’s column paints a picture of a Liverpool side that, while unbeaten, is grappling with a lack of goals, tactical rigidity, and questions surrounding its new signings.
The manager’s ability to adapt, the players’ confidence, and the outcome of the forthcoming Tottenham tie will be crucial in determining whether Liverpool can turn their early-season frustration into a sustained challenge for the Premier League title.