'I think': Paul Merson explains 'the key' to whether Liverpool can really win the Premier League this season
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Liverpool are looking good after five games of the Premier League season.
The Reds enjoyed a better than expected campaign last time out, bouncing back from a fifth-place finish to challenge for the title once again.
Although they ultimately finished nine points behind Manchester City, Liverpool were right there with them until the last month or so of the season.
After Jurgen Klopp stepped down and was replaced by Arne Slot, there was uncertainty over what to expect from the new Liverpool head coach.
But having won four out of five games and conceded just one goal in the process, it looks likely that the Reds will be there or thereabouts along with Arsenal and City yet again.
And as cautious optimism begins to billow around Anfield, pundit Paul Merson has explained what could be the ‘key’ behind a potential Premier League title charge for Liverpool.
Paul Merson explains Liverpool ‘key’
Liverpool currently sit just one point behind City in second place in the Premier League table. Arsenal are one point further back.
The top two from the previous two seasons played each other on Sunday, with a dramatic game finishing 2-2.
On the back of that, opinions have been formed over which of those two sides may end the season as champions, while Liverpool quietly beat Bournemouth 3-0.
Writing in his column for Sky Sports, Merson predicts that from what he’s seen so far this campaign, all three sides will be in the hunt come May.
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“I think we’ll see Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool fighting it out all season, all the way to the end,” he says.
However, for both the Gunners and the Reds to stand a chance of toppling City’s four-season hegemony, Merson claims that they are going to have to rely on luck with injuries.
“The key will be Arsenal and Liverpool keeping all their players fit,” Merson continues. “Man City have proved they can have a couple of players missing and they will still have easy games where they rack up big wins.
“I’m not so sure it is as easy for Liverpool and Arsenal,” adds the former Gunners midfielder. “That’s the difference between them and everybody else.”
What’s going on in the next Premier League matchday?
As we of course know, Liverpool are next in action against West Ham in the Carabao Cup. Following Wednesday’s game at Anfield, though, the league season returns at the weekend.
Slot takes his side to Wolves on Saturday evening as they go in search of maintaining their perfect away record so far this season.
Meanwhile, City have a tough-looking game away at St James’ Park as they face Newcastle in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
Arsenal are also in action on Saturday, as they play Leicester City at the Emirates.
If City fail to get the three points early in the day against Newcastle, Liverpool will have the chance to go top should they beat Wolves. Let the fun and games begin.
