Paul Merson, writing his regular column for Sky Sports, opened up about his unease regarding Liverpool's early‑season form and also weighed in on the club's marquee 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 seventh on the table. With a Carabao Cup clash against a struggling Tottenham Hotspur looming on Tuesday and a forthcoming league encounter with Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports ahead of the international break.
Adam Bate of Sky Sports summed up Liverpool’s performance against Fulham as "unbeaten but unsatisfied," a phrase that captures the underwhelming start to what should be a dominant campaign. Merson echoed that sentiment, adding that manager Jurgen Klopp may be finding the transition from Bournemouth to the pressures of Anfield more challenging than expected. While there is no disrespect intended toward Bournemouth, Merson pointed out that a 0‑0 draw at home for them would hardly make headlines, whereas the same result for Liverpool instantly becomes front‑page news.
He suggested that Klopp needs to loosen the tactical restraints that have been holding the side back and allow his players more creative freedom. Merson also highlighted the widening gap between the league's elite and the rest of the pack, noting that Manchester City and Arsenal appear to be pulling away at an astonishing rate. He expressed particular doubt about Liverpool's patience with Wirtz, describing the German midfielder as "special" but acknowledging that his impact has not yet materialised. "I don’t know how long they can wait on Florian Wirtz," Merson said, "I’m a big fan of him, I think he’s a special player, but it isn’t working; it just isn’t working." When it comes to Barcola, Merson was equally sceptical.
He praised the French winger’s speed, but argued that sheer quickness does not automatically translate into success at Liverpool. "If you asked me what Barcola’s game is, you’d say he’s quick.
Now, you play at Liverpool, you don’t really have to be the fastest man in the Premier League. You need a bit more than pace," he explained. Merson believes Liverpool require a player with greater guile—someone who can combine speed with clever movement and decision‑making, much like Mohamed Salah did during his early years at the club. The former England international stressed that Liverpool’s current problem is not a lack of speed but a deficiency in creativity and confidence.
He observed that opponents often sit deep and defend compactly, forcing Liverpool to rely on intricate passing and incisive runs to break down stubborn defenses. "There’s no other tactics and that is a worry," he warned. Reflecting on Liverpool’s recent encounter with Everton, Merson said the first 15‑20 minutes looked promising, with fluid passing and movement that troubled the Toffees.
However, the lack of a breakthrough goal dampened the team’s momentum, and the failure to score early, he argued, can quickly erode confidence. "If they don’t get that goal, then that mindset sets in again," he noted. Confidence, he argued, is the cornerstone of any successful side, regardless of age or experience. "Any footballer, whether under‑10 or a professional, if they can’t bottle one thing, it’s confidence," Merson asserted.
Looking ahead, Merson believes Liverpool must rediscover their winning habit quickly, especially before the international break. He predicts a dominant title race for Arsenal, who he expects to win the Premier League by a double‑digit margin. He highlighted Arsenal’s upcoming schedule—away games at Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool—as a testament to their strength, suggesting that few teams will be able to topple them. Merson also praised Arsenal’s composure, noting that they no longer face accusations of "bottling" matches.
Their recent performances against Aston Villa and Sunderland have shown a calm, patient approach that eventually yields goals while leaving opponents frustrated. "They play, it’s patient. They will score in the end and the opposition won’t," he observed. Turning back to Liverpool, Merson admitted that despite the current concerns, the club possesses a deep pool of talent and one of the best managers in the business.
He dismissed any realistic threat of relegation, calling the recent draw with Nottingham Forest "terrible" but not catastrophic. "They were dominating but couldn’t score a goal.
I’d be shocked if they got relegated. They’ve got too many good players and they’ve got one of the best managers in the business," he said. Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of the upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham, describing it as a potential "momentum swinger".
A win could provide a much‑needed boost heading into the break, while a loss might deepen the doubts surrounding the squad. "You win it, then you can kick on after the international break.
It’s a big football match," Merson concluded. In summary, Merson’s column paints a picture of a Liverpool side that, while still unbeaten, is plagued by a lack of cutting edge, uncertainty over its new signings, and the psychological weight of high expectations. The onus now lies with Klopp to unlock the creative spark that has defined the club’s recent successes, integrate Wirtz and Barcola effectively, and restore the confidence that has been missing in recent weeks.
The upcoming fixtures, especially the Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham, will be crucial in determining whether Liverpool can reverse their fortunes before the season truly gets underway.