In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson says he is worried about Liverpool this season while also raising questions about both Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola.
The Reds were held to their third draw across their opening four Premier League games following the 0-0 against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday and now sit in seventh place.
They face a struggling Tottenham side in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before Andoni Iraola returns to Bournemouth, with both games being shown live on Sky Sports ahead of the international break.
"Unbeaten but unsatisfied," is how Sky Sports' Adam Bate described the performance against Fulham as an underwhelming start to the new season continued.
Merson has echoed that sentiment while also raising concerns about Iraola, as well as big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola.
Read below for the Magic Man's thoughts as he also discusses the key problems causing the struggles at Tottenham, whether or not Aston Villa are genuine relegation contenders, and the gulf in quality Arsenal have created at the top of the table.
'Is Iraola finding it more difficult than expected?'
I'm worried for Liverpool at the moment, in a way, because that was a bad result on Saturday. That was a very bad result.
I don't know if the manager is finding it a bit more difficult than he probably would after making the jump from Bournemouth to Anfield.
No disrespect to Bournemouth but if they draw at home to Fulham 0-0, it is not a problem.
Liverpool draw at home to Fulham, it is headline news. That is what he's got to get used to as well. He's got to let the shackles off, open it up a bit.
You watch the games now, every weekend that goes past, Man City and Arsenal are so far ahead of everybody else. It's mind-blowing how big the gulf is.
Wirtz worry and was Barcola the right option for Liverpool?
I don't know how long they can wait on Florian Wirtz. I'm a big fan of him, I think he's a special player. But it isn't working; it just isn't working.
I don't know how long they can wait. I also like Bradley Barcola, but I'm not sure if he was what they needed.
If you said to me, what's Barcola's game? He's quick. Now, you play at Liverpool, you don't really have to be that quick.
You don't have to be like the fastest man in the Premier League. You've got to have a bit more. And at the moment, I am not sure.
He'll have his games, don't get me wrong, but I think they needed someone with more guile.
Mohamed Salah, when he ripped it up, had that guile and that is why he was so successful at the club.
You don't just need pace at Liverpool. No one has a go at Liverpool. Everyone sits players behind the ball.
There's no other tactics and that is a worry.
Mindset and confidence is the key problem at Spurs
The first 15, 20 minutes I thought they were outstanding [vs Everton].
I thought the way they passed it, moved it, it caused problems for Everton. But they didn't get that goal. And when they don't get that goal, then that mindset sets in again.
I think they'd still be playing now [without scoring], wouldn't they? That is the problem. They need to score early. And confidence is the thing as well.
I say any footballer, I don't care if you're under 10s or professional, if you can bottle one thing, it's confidence.
And at the moment, they just haven't got that confidence and the belief. And that's the problem, that belief.
Arsenal will defend title comfortably
I think they will win the Premier League by double digits. I think they'll win it easy.
I look at Arsenal's fixtures; Man City away, Man United away, Chelsea away, Liverpool away. After those four games, I don't know who's beating Arsenal.
They're just a hard, hard team to beat. I don't see them losing a lot of football matches this season.
The shackles are off a bit. No one can call Arsenal bottle jobs anymore. So the pressure is off.
And they just play with that feeling like they've had an email through and told them, 'you know what the score is going to be already'.
I just watched them against Villa, and you watch them against Sunderland, and there's no panic.
They play, it's patient. They will score in the end and the opposition won't. That is the way they are at the moment.
Are Villa genuine relegation contenders?
No, no. I think they have too many good players, if I'm being honest. I think it was a terrible result against Nottingham Forest. It was worrying.
They were dominating but couldn't score a goal. But 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. They're just having a little bit of a time at the moment.
I do think this is a big game this weekend [vs Tottenham], though. It's a huge game. Down at the bottom, if you're down there, you're down there.
I don't worry about Tottenham or Villa, but I think it's a big game for both teams because it's a momentum swinger.
You win it, then you can kick on after the international break. It's a big football match.
Zere8
0
You can't compare team management in Arsenal to that of Liverpool, out of the 6 or 7 season you mentioned, Arsenal were not expecting to win any major trophies within the first 4 seasons, because it was obviously clear to everyone that Arsenal are in the re-building process, but Liverpool were trying to solidify their position as the current champion then, that was the reason they were not patient with Slot or Slots, after heavy spending by bringing in the likes of Isak, Whirts and several other players, Liverpool no doubt were expecting an instant results, an with the spending, no one should blame the Liverpool board for not being patient with any of those managers!
you are crazy, arteta net spend for the first 3 seasons are among the top 3, what make you think he didnt want to win it? it was just he couldnt because of pep and klopp. klopp finished with over 90 pts 3 times but only became champion once. compared to arteta, 85 is really a weak season for all the rivals. arteta was pure lucky to have won it because all rivals are not performing at their peak
firMINO1
0
Everything is not about spending much money , all the players we have bought above 100m are all not worth the amount , even at psg Barcola is not a starter and yet we spent that much to get him
instead of getting a left back and right back we bought a left winger where we already have gakpo, Rio and Munoz. how fucked up are we
SGTSingam
1
Not Lampard, Arbeloa nor Carrick to get axed... should be Iraola heading the list !
sameknops
0
Arsenal players were getting nervous against Napoli & Sunderland & start pushing apponents
when a mad person comment you know them
puocmortz
0
Liverpool would have gone for Rayan Kroupi, Ndayi and Wharton for a lesser amount
Odek
0
Tell this shitty Arsenal Legend....David Raya has been player of the match more often than any other Arsenal player which say All
Nothing is wrong with that, Raya is equally player on the pitch, in a team, there must be a one shining that will always save the day for any particular team, the shining star can be in the attacking position, midfield position, defensive position or even in the goal keeping position, example Arsenal vs PSG semi final, the current Man City goal keeper save PSG in that match, go and watch the replay you will understand more, a goal keeper is equally player, so!
Odek
0
why the panic, arteta took 7 season to win first PL with arsenal
You can't compare team management in Arsenal to that of Liverpool, out of the 6 or 7 season you mentioned, Arsenal were not expecting to win any major trophies within the first 4 seasons, because it was obviously clear to everyone that Arsenal are in the re-building process, but Liverpool were trying to solidify their position as the current champion then, that was the reason they were not patient with Slot or Slots, after heavy spending by bringing in the likes of Isak, Whirts and several other players, Liverpool no doubt were expecting an instant results, an with the spending, no one should blame the Liverpool board for not being patient with any of those managers!
Zuwabesz
0
Merson which team did you play for. ? leave Liverpool alone
Pahadinpsu
0
Same question I keep asking 😭😭 people are becoming dumber by each passing day 🥱
They just didn’t like him or he would have been give the time to compete his first squad build. Players weren’t even used to each other and we had persistent injuries but I guess it the new Liverpool way.
Israel”11”
0
Then why fire slot?
Same question I keep asking 😭😭 people are becoming dumber by each passing day 🥱
tebana
0
Everything is not about spending much money , all the players we have bought above 100m are all not worth the amount , even at psg Barcola is not a starter and yet we spent that much to get him
Bobbclpsu
0
Pep Maurinho or Klopp would be better for Liverpool
Totally agree
Bobbclpsu
0
I don’t know what the tactics are but they don’t seem to be able to follow them , that is over £500 million been spent and it looks like a Sunday morning game ok the injuries haven’t helped but I can’t see any improvement but can anyone tell what the recruitment team were doing I told everyone Barcola is not a Liverpool player and £123m I would not give him a game in the under 21’s he is Crap I have said enough enough
Pahadinpsu
2
why the panic, arteta took 7 season to win first PL with arsenal
Then why fire slot?
sadbdoruz
2
Liverpool has habit to sign wrong players from other European countries who take too long or fail to adapt to the Premier League. Look how Arsenal and Man City strengthened their teams by recruiting good, talented players from fellow Premier League teams who easily fit and adapt to their playing style and philosophy.
canacikm
1
Pep Maurinho or Klopp would be better for Liverpool
resabekpst
1
Arsenal players were getting nervous against Napoli & Sunderland & start pushing apponents
I personally don’t know what you were watching, we played controlled constructive football,we never panic.
resabekpst
1
Everything is not about spending much money , all the players we have bought above 100m are all not worth the amount , even at psg Barcola is not a starter and yet we spent that much to get him
I personally don’t understand why they have spent so much on players, who don’t fit into their system. Money spent doesn’t mean trophies won.
Zere8
1
why the panic, arteta took 7 season to win first PL with arsenal
wusbmnrsz
2
Arsenal players were getting nervous against Napoli & Sunderland & start pushing apponents
wusbmnrsz
2
Tell this shitty Arsenal Legend....David Raya has been player of the match more often than any other Arsenal player which say All
walex2
3
Everything is not about spending much money , all the players we have bought above 100m are all not worth the amount , even at psg Barcola is not a starter and yet we spent that much to get him