Paul Merson believes Darwin Nunez is costing Liverpool striker Mo Salah goals this season, while the Arsenal legend makes a prediction ahead of the Reds’ game against Tottenham.
Liverpool have lost their last two Premier League games to nottingham forest and Leeds United with the Reds now sitting in ninth place in the table.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are 15 points behind leaders Arsenal and eight points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United after just 12 games of the season.
They bounced back from their loss to Leeds in midweek. with a 2-0 Champions League victory over Napoli but their trip to Tottenham will provide a good indication of whether they are back in form.
Merson, who is predicting a 2-1 victory against Liverpool, said Sportskeeda: “This is a great game. I expect Man City to win their Premier League game this weekend, and that would mean Liverpool would be 16 points behind City before their game starts. If all the other big teams win their games, they would be 10 points below fifth place this week. They have to try to get into the top four.
“Liverpool have beaten Napoli, Ajax and Manchester City, but lost to Leeds and Nottingham Forest. Had they won both games, they would have been in sixth place. It’s extraordinary, and Jurgen Klopp must be pulling his hair out. Every week that passes, the gap between Liverpool and the top four gets bigger. They cannot afford to lose this game.
“People say there’s a lot of time left in the season, but that’s not really the case. Had they won their Premier League matches against Leeds and Forest, a draw here would have been fine. Now, they are in a difficult situation. It’s almost impossible to chase down five teams when you’re within 10 points of them. It may hit one or two, but it won’t hit everyone.
“When Mohamed Salah plays on the wing and Roberto Firmino plays, he brings the center back with him. Leave Salah with room to run inside. When Darwin Nunez plays, he is the focal point, and Salah has nowhere to run except to the wing. You can’t score goals from there, and that’s been his problem this season.
“Everyone has been highlighting Fabinho in this race. He’s been out of the team and injured too, and I still think he’s a good player. He is not the only player in their midfield. Liverpool’s midfield trio have been the foundation of his success, and at the moment it’s not working.
“With Son, Kulusevski and Richarlison out injured, Harry Kane will be isolated up front. I’ve seen a lot of Tottenham this season and I don’t think Kane can do it alone. Liverpool like their Premier League away games against Tottenham, and they will back each other to win this game.”
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