Pundit and Arsenal star Paul Merson has discussed Liverpool’s apparently inexorable march to the Premier League title.
He may be an Arsenal icon, but Paul Merson understands that Liverpool is the ‘exceptional’ club in the Premier League this season. At one stage, it appeared that his former club was going to run the Reds close in the title chase.
But now it appears that Liverpool will be crowned English Premier League winners for the 20th time in the club’s illustrious history.
The Reds are currently 13 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand, following a potentially pivotal five days in the championship race.
Following a 1-0 loss at home to West Ham United, the Gunners relinquished the initiative to the leaders.
Liverpool reacted just than 24 hours later by winning 2-0 at defending champions Manchester City, followed by another 2-0 victory at home against Newcastle United, whom they will face in the Carabao Cup final later this month.
On the same night, Arsenal surrendered another point, drawing 0-0 against third-placed Nottingham Forest, prompting many analysts to conclude that Arne Slot’s table-topping side will not be challenged.
And that’s not the only prize they may win; in addition to being one win away from regaining the Carabao Cup, they meet Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals in two weeks.
Balancing European and domestic responsibilities at this time of a campaign is notoriously challenging.
However, with such a dominating lead at the top of the Premier League, Merson believes Liverpool, whose 1-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest in September remains their only defeat this season, can afford a few slip-ups.
“It’s just a case of how many points now,” remarked the former England international on Sky Sports. “They’ve simply got to stay concentrated and keep on performing. They have been simply great.
“They’ve got the Champions League now, two important games against PSG (in between a home league encounter against bottom-place Southampton), and as long as they keep going, they’ll be fine.
“They might make three or four mistakes and still be fine. They will not want that to happen. They will want to continue what they have been doing.
“They have been great. Manchester City easily won the game, as did Newcastle. I can’t recommend these highly enough.
“I saw their game against Nottingham Forest, which they lost, and I wasn’t pleased at all; I felt they’d struggle.
“It was right after the international break, and with Slot coming from Holland, I don’t think it’s comparable to the Premier League. I believe that when you return from a vacation in Holland, there is still a significant gap, but in the Premier League, inferior clubs have a strong chance of beating you. It’s a real leveller, and I believe it taught him a valuable lesson.
“That game wasn’t going anywhere. It was 0-0, and I thought Forest manager Nuno performed admirably. He put on fast wingers, and (Anthony) Elanga and (Callum) Hudson-Odoi tore them apart. I believe he (Slot) learnt that when things aren’t going well, simply be patient and take a draw here and there.
“They have had a significant advantage, though. They have suffered no injuries. The Rolls Royce in the rear, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah play every game, which is a major deal.”
