'I'm shocked': Paul Merson can't believe what Liverpool have just done against Real Madrid
Today at 03:47 PM
Liverpool and Real Madrid are currently going head to head at Anfield in a UEFA Champions League group-stage clash.
Arne Slot’s side are unbeaten in the competition so far and have won each of their first four games, while the Spanish giants, on the other hand, have won and lost two games apiece.
The Reds can take a major step towards qualification into the knockout stages with a win at Anfield and have named a strong lineup despite having one eye on their upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City.
And Paul Merson has been left gobsmacked by Slot’s thought process for this game ahead of a potentially title-defining clash against the Cityzens.
Paul Merson shocked by Liverpool’s starting XI vs Real Madrid
Liverpool secured a hard-fought 3-2 win against Southampton after the international break and made just two changes to the team that started at St Mary’s on Saturday.
Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai have made way for Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister against Real Madrid, but Slot opted against rotating his squad heavily.
Merson can’t fathom why Liverpool didn’t make wholesale changes to their squad as the game against Manchester City is a much more important game that would give them the chance to go 11 points clear in the Premier League with a win.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 1 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 8 | 16 | 31 |
| 2 | Man CityManchester City | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 23 |
| 3 | ChelseaChelsea | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 22 |
| 4 | ArsenalArsenal | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 12 | 9 | 22 |
“I’m shocked by the Liverpool team tonight,” said Merson on Sky Sports ahead of the game.
“I just think this game tonight is nothing compared to the weekend. I’ll go as far as to say they’ll put Manchester City to bed if they beat them on the weekend.
“I don’t see the value in this game tonight for Liverpool. If they go and beat Real Madrid, what does that mean? They’ve got three other games to play.”If they win tonight but lose on Sunday, it’s a bad week for Liverpool.”
Will Liverpool have players back from injury vs Man City?
Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in the matchday squad after limping off against Aston Villa before the international break and is on the Liverpool bench vs Real Madrid.
The likes of Alisson Becker and Harvey Elliott are also back to full fitness, while Federico Chiesa is edging closer to getting up to speed after Liverpool game him a mini pre-season to help him adapt to the Premier League.
Diogo Jota is still out and faces a race against time to be fit for the game against Manchester City.
