Paul Merson used his recent column for Sky Sports to voice growing unease about Liverpool's start to the campaign, while also casting doubt on the club's high‑profile signings Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. The Reds have now drawn three of their first four Premier League matches, the latest being a goalless stalemate against Fulham at Anfield that left them sitting in seventh place. Their upcoming schedule includes a Carabao Cup clash with a struggling Tottenham side on Tuesday, followed by a return fixture against Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth, both of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports ahead of the international break. Adam Bate of Sky Sports summed up the Fulham result as "unbeaten but unsatisfied," a phrase that Merson echoed in his own analysis.
He suggested that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may be finding the transition from Bournemouth to the pressures of Anfield more challenging than anticipated. While Merson offered no disrespect to Bournemouth, he pointed out that a 0-0 draw at home for them would hardly raise eyebrows, whereas the same scoreline for Liverpool instantly becomes headline news.
"He needs to loosen the shackles and open the game up a little," Merson advised, implying that Klopp must allow his side to express themselves more freely if they are to avoid a pattern of low‑scoring draws. Merson 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 "mind‑blowing" gulf in quality, leaving clubs like Liverpool to chase a moving target. In this context, the German midfielder Florian Wirtz, whom Merson described as "a special player" and a personal favourite, becomes a focal point of scrutiny. "I don't know how long they can wait on Wirtz," Merson said, noting that despite his talent, the German has not yet made the expected impact at Anfield. The same uncertainty applies to French winger Bradley Barcola.
While Barcola possesses impressive speed, Merson questioned whether sheer quickness is sufficient for Liverpool's style of play, which traditionally values technical guile as much as, if not more than, raw pace. Drawing a comparison to Mohamed Salah, Merson argued that the Egyptian forward's success stemmed from his blend of speed, creativity, and an instinct for the decisive moment.
"You don't just need pace at Liverpool," he warned, emphasizing that opponents now sit deep and defend compactly, forcing Liverpool to rely on inventive passing and intelligent movement rather than simple sprinting. This tactical nuance, Merson believes, is a core reason behind Liverpool's recent inability to convert dominance into goals. Reflecting on the team's performance against Everton, Merson admitted that the first 15‑20 minutes looked promising, with fluid passing that troubled the opposition.
However, the failure to find the net early, he argued, allowed doubt to creep back in. "When they don't get that goal, the mindset shifts," he explained, noting that early scoring often builds confidence, a quality he described as essential for any footballer, regardless of age or experience. At present, Merson feels Liverpool lack that belief, and without it, they risk slipping into a cycle of draws and missed opportunities.
Turning his attention to the broader league landscape, Merson expressed confidence that Arsenal will dominate the title race, predicting a double‑digit points lead and an easy victory for the Gunners. He cited Arsenal's upcoming fixtures—away trips to Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool—as evidence that even after a demanding run, the team remains hard to beat. "They've taken the pressure off themselves," he said, noting that the narrative of Arsenal "bottling" games has faded, replaced by a calm, patient approach that sees them eventually outscore opponents. Regarding Liverpool, Merson remains optimistic about their squad depth, calling it "too good" to risk relegation.
He acknowledged a disappointing display against Nottingham Forest, where the team dominated possession but failed to score, yet he maintained that the presence of numerous quality players and a top‑class manager should see them through the rough patch. He stressed the importance of the upcoming Carabao Cup tie with Tottenham as a potential momentum‑shifter. "A win could reignite their confidence after the international break," Merson said, underscoring the match's significance for both clubs. In summary, Merson's column paints a picture of a Liverpool side at a crossroads: talented but lacking confidence, equipped with high‑profile signings who have yet to deliver, and navigating a league where the top tier is pulling away.
He calls for Klopp to relax his tactical constraints, allow the team to play with more freedom, and find a way to translate possession into goals. Meanwhile, he predicts Arsenal will continue to set the pace at the summit, leaving Liverpool to regroup and rediscover the winning mentality that once made them a dominant force in English football.