Paul Merson, writing his latest column for Sky Sports, opened up about his growing unease regarding Liverpool’s early‑season performances, while also questioning the club’s recent high‑profile acquisitions, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. The Reds have now endured three draws in their first four Premier League fixtures, the most recent being a goalless stalemate against Fulham at Anfield that left them sitting in seventh place.
With a Carabao Cup clash against a struggling Tottenham Hotspur looming on Tuesday, and a return fixture against Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola also on the calendar, both games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports ahead of the upcoming international break. Adam Bate of Sky Sports summed up Liverpool’s display against Fulham as "unbeaten but unsatisfied," a phrase that resonated with Merson’s own assessment. He argued that the team’s inability to convert dominance into goals is a symptom of deeper tactical issues, and he also raised doubts about whether manager Jurgen Klopp is adapting quickly enough after moving from Bournemouth to the pressures of Anfield.
"No disrespect to Bournemouth," Merson wrote, "but a 0‑0 draw at home for them isn’t headline news. For Liverpool, it is." Merson warned that Klopp must learn to loosen the tactical "shackles" that have been placed on the side and allow a more fluid, attacking style. He pointed out that while Manchester City and Arsenal have already created a massive gap at the top of the table, Liverpool seem to be treading water, unable to match the pace and creativity of their rivals. "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 observed. The former England midfielder then turned his attention to the club’s two marquee signings.
Regarding Florian Wirtz, Merson admitted he is a fan of the German youngster, calling him "a special player," but expressed frustration that the German has not yet delivered the impact expected. "I don’t know how long they can wait on Florian Wirtz. It just isn’t working," he said. He echoed a similar sentiment for Bradley Barcola, noting that while the French winger possesses blistering speed, Liverpool may require a different skill set.
"If you asked me what Barcola’s game is, you’d say he’s quick. But at Liverpool you don’t have to be the fastest man in the Premier League.
You need a bit more guile," Merson explained, drawing a comparison to Mohamed Salah’s blend of pace and cunning that made him a lethal force for the club. Merson argued that Liverpool’s current approach overly emphasizes speed at the expense of creativity and tactical flexibility. "You don’t just need pace at Liverpool. No one has a go at Liverpool.
Everyone sits players behind the ball. There’s no other tactics and that is a worry," he wrote.
He recalled a recent encounter with Everton, where Liverpool appeared brilliant in the first 15‑20 minutes, moving the ball well and creating problems for the opposition, yet failed to find the net. "When they don’t get that goal, the mindset shifts back to doubt," he noted.
Confidence, according to Merson, is the missing ingredient. He believes that without an early goal to boost belief, Liverpool will continue to struggle to finish chances.
"Any footballer, whether under‑10 or professional, if they can bottle one thing, it’s confidence. At the moment they just haven’t got that confidence and the belief. That’s the problem," he said. Switching focus to the rest of the league, Merson predicted that Arsenal will dominate the title race, winning by double digits and easily securing the championship.
He highlighted Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures – away trips to Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool – and suggested that even after those challenges, the Gunners will still be the team to beat. "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 newfound composure, noting that the pressure of being labeled “bottle‑jobs” appears to have lifted. He described their recent performances against Aston Villa and Sunderland as calm and patient, with the team eventually breaking down opponents and scoring late goals.
"They play, it’s patient. They will score in the end and the opposition won’t," he said.
Returning to Liverpool, Merson acknowledged that the club still boasts a deep pool of talent and one of the best managers in the business, which should safeguard them from any serious relegation threat. He admitted that the recent draw against Nottingham Forest was worrying, as Liverpool dominated but failed to find the net. Nevertheless, he remained confident that the club’s quality will see them through the rough patch. Looking ahead, Merson emphasized the importance of Liverpool’s upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham.
He described it as a potential "momentum swinger" that could set the tone for the rest of the season, especially after the international break. "You win it, then you can kick on after the break. It’s a big football match," he wrote, urging fans to tune in to the live broadcast on Sky Sports.
In summary, Paul Merson’s column paints a picture of a Liverpool side that is technically proficient but lacking the mental edge and creative spark needed to compete with the league’s elite. While he remains hopeful about the squad’s depth and Klopp’s managerial acumen, he stresses that patience with new signings like Wirtz and Barcola may be wearing thin, and that a shift in tactical philosophy – coupled with a boost in confidence – will be essential if Liverpool hopes to reclaim their place among England’s top clubs.