Merson claims Liverpool 'have to win' to stay in title race with Arsenal
Paul Merson believes Liverpool have no margin for error when they host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, insisting Andoni Iraola's side must beat the Premier League leaders to remain credible title contenders.
Writing in his latest Sky Sports column, Merson said: “Liverpool are starting to cook a little bit, but they have got to win this Sunday if they want to be in the Premier League title race. If they don't win, they stay six points behind at least and still have to go to the Emirates. You're then asking Arsenal to lose two football matches without you losing one. And given Liverpool will lose more games this season, you're then asking Arsenal to lose three or four games for the rest of the season. That's a lot of games.”
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Arsenal travel to Anfield six points clear of Liverpool, who sit level with Manchester City at the top of the table heading into the weekend. The Gunners arrive on the back of six league games unbeaten, while Liverpool have won five on the spin.
Merson pointed to Arsenal's dismal record at Anfield in the league, a run stretching back to 2012. “The last time Arsenal won a game at Liverpool in the league was in 2012, I couldn't believe it when I saw that stat. Mikel Arteta was an Arsenal player the last time they won at Anfield and now he's the manager!” he said.
He also noted the psychological weight of the fixture given Iraola's recent record against Arteta. The Liverpool boss beat Arsenal three times in his last four meetings against Arteta's side while in charge of Bournemouth, though his first major test at Anfield ended in defeat to Manchester City earlier this month.
Merson warns of tough month ahead for Arsenal
Merson also flagged concerns over Bukayo Saka's fitness as Arsenal head into a demanding run of fixtures that includes Liverpool away, two Champions League trips, and a home meeting with Manchester City before December is out.
“If Bukayo Saka is injured for this period, he's going to be missed. People say he isn't playing well, I think he's a decision maker, he constantly makes those right decisions week in, week out,” Merson said. He added that Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze filling in could work both ways, explaining it would be “a real tester” to ask them to start six to eight matches in a row, but also an opportunity for them to “relax and go and express themselves” knowing they have a run of games to build on.
Merson suggested Arsenal's title credentials will become far clearer by mid December, once this stretch of fixtures against City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham has passed. Sunday's meeting at Anfield, live on Sky Sports with kick off at 4.30pm, is the first major test of that run.
