Paul Merson’s Bold Comments About Liverpool at the Start of the Season Re-Emerge

As the Reds appear destined to win the Premier League, Paul Merson’s remarks on Liverpool under Arne Slot at the beginning of the 2024–25 season have come back into focus. The former Feyenoord manager would become the fifth manager to win the trophy on his first try after having one of the best first campaigns of any top division manager.

Many thought the Dutchman would need some time to settle in at Anfield, particularly after taking over from Jurgen Klopp, who is considered by many to be among the greatest coaches in the club’s history. Slot, however, has outperformed all of those forecasts and made many people, including Merson, seem foolish with their earlier claims.

Merson Claimed Liverpool Wouldn’t Challenge in Slot’s First Season

The suggestion was made after a home defeat to Nottingham Forest

After watching Liverpool lose to Nottingham Forest at home in their fourth Premier League match of the season, Merson expressed his firm belief that the Reds would not be able to contend for any significant trophies in Slot’s first season as manager on Sky Sport’s Soccer Saturday coverage.

The former Arsenal midfielder gave the following explanation of the shortcomings he perceived in the current league leaders:

“I found Liverpool to be a little dull. It seemed slow to me. Watching Klopp is like travelling at 100 miles per hour. It simply appeared to go through stages. It wasn’t enough fast. I don’t see them challenging unless they accelerate this.

“Teams in the Premier League recover quite fast. Particularly the smaller teams that may counterattack but will swiftly recover. As I watch this game, it seems to me that “we don’t lose before we win.” I do not believe that to be Liverpool.

Merson’s prediction about the Premier League is not only entirely incorrect, but Slot’s team has also established themselves as a popular commodity in Europe and is among the favourites to win the Champions League following some strong performances in the competition so far.

When Liverpool Could Win the Premier League Title

The exact date Merson could eat his words have been revealed

Slot’s team needs to accumulate 16 more points if Arsenal wins every game in order to secure championship status. In such scenario, the Reds would be able to defeat Chelsea for the title on May 3rd at Stamford Bridge.

Slot’s team might win the title as early as April 20th, though, if the Gunners lose their next three games and they accumulate the most points possible in their next four games. When the two clubs play each other at the end of the season, their closest rivals would have to provide them with a guard of honour.