Paul Merson used his latest column for Sky Sports to voice growing unease about Liverpool’s start to the campaign, while also questioning the club’s recent high‑profile acquisitions, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. The Reds have now endured three draws in their opening four Premier League fixtures, the most recent being a goalless stalemate against Fulham at Anfield that left them perched in seventh place.
With a Carabao Cup clash against a struggling Tottenham side looming on Tuesday, and a return fixture with Bournemouth on the horizon, both games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports before the international break. Adam Bate of Sky Sports summed up the Fulham encounter as “unbeaten but unsatisfied”, a phrase that resonated with Merson’s own assessment. He suggested that manager Jurgen Klopp may be finding the transition from Bournemouth to Anfield more challenging than anticipated. While Merson offered no disrespect to Bournemouth, he pointed out that a 0‑0 draw at home for that club would hardly raise eyebrows, whereas a similar result for Liverpool instantly becomes headline news.
The former Liverpool boss, he argued, must learn to loosen the metaphorical shackles that have been tightening around the team’s attacking play. Merson noted the widening gap between the league’s traditional powerhouses and the rest of the pack.
“Every weekend you look at Manchester City and Arsenal and they are simply miles ahead of everyone else. It’s astonishing how large that gulf has become,” he observed. This disparity, he warned, could become dangerous if Liverpool does not find a way to break their dead‑lock and regain confidence.
Turning to the club’s big‑money signings, Merson admitted he is a fan of Florian Wirtz, describing him as a “special player”. Yet he confessed that the German midfielder has not yet delivered the impact Liverpool hoped for.
“I don’t know how long they can wait on Wirtz,” Merson said. “It isn’t working at the moment.” The same uncertainty applied to French winger Bradley Barcola. While Barcola possesses impressive speed, Merson questioned whether raw pace alone is sufficient for Liverpool’s style of play.
“You don’t have to be the fastest man in the Premier League at Liverpool,” he argued. “You need a bit more than speed – you need guile, creativity, the kind of cleverness Mohamed Salah displayed when he was at his best.” Merson stressed that Liverpool cannot rely solely on athleticism. He warned that opponents have learned to sit deep and block Liverpool’s forward thrusts, leaving the Reds without a clear tactical plan.
This lack of a defined strategy, he believes, is a core worry for the club. Reflecting on a recent league encounter with Everton, Merson praised Liverpool’s opening 15‑20 minutes, noting the fluid passing and movement that caused problems for the Toffees. However, the failure to convert that dominance into a goal, he argued, allowed doubt to creep back in. “When you don’t score, the mindset shifts,” he said.
“They need to find the net early to build confidence.” Confidence, according to Merson, is the most vital ingredient for any footballer, regardless of age or experience. “If you can bottle one thing, it’s confidence,” he declared. At present, he feels Liverpool lack both belief and self‑assurance, which hampers their ability to finish chances.
Looking beyond Liverpool, Merson turned his attention to Arsenal, who he believes will dominate the title race. He highlighted Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures – away trips to Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool – and suggested that even after those tough games, Arsenal are unlikely to lose many matches.
He praised their composure, noting that they no longer appear to “bottle” important moments and seem to play with an almost pre‑ordained knowledge of the final score. Merson also commented on Liverpool’s squad depth, calling it “over‑abundant with quality”. He described a recent defeat to Nottingham Forest as “terrible” and worrying, despite the team’s overall dominance in the match.
Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that Liverpool would not be relegated, citing their talented roster and the expertise of Klopp, who he considers one of the best managers in the business. The upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham, Merson said, is a pivotal “momentum‑shifting” fixture. A victory could give Liverpool the boost they need heading into the international break, while a loss might deepen their current malaise. He urged fans to tune in to the live broadcast on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, noting the kickoff times of 7 pm on September 15 with a 9 pm start for the match.
In summary, Merson’s column paints a picture of a Liverpool side that is technically capable but currently hamstrung by a lack of confidence, tactical rigidity, and the pressure of high expectations. He calls for Klopp to loosen the constraints on his players, integrate the new signings more effectively, and find a way to score early in games to restore belief. Only then, Merson believes, can Liverpool hope to bridge the widening gap to the league’s elite and avoid a season that feels increasingly precarious.