Paul Merson says teams are no longer scared of Liverpool

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has criticized Liverpool for their start to the season, saying Jurgen Klopp’s opponents are no longer feared.

Klopp watched on Saturday night as his team suffered a second consecutive defeat – their fourth of the season so far – against Leeds, who had lost to Nottingham Forest the weekend before.

Speak with air sportsMerson stated that Liverpool are in ‘big trouble’ as they try to make their way out of the choppy waters and added that the fatigue the players suffer from is also affecting their manager.

“It is unforgivable to put in a performance like Liverpool did against Manchester City and then follow it up with defeats to Nottingham Forest and Leeds,” Merson wrote. Liverpool took one step forward and four steps back!

“Only the players can put in a performance like against City and then against Forest and Leeds. Only the players can tell you what was different then.’

Merson noted that the performance – and the result – against City made people think ‘here we go’, Liverpool are back. But their consecutive defeats put them 15 points behind the pace in the league and in trouble with the top four.

Meanwhile, Merson wrote that parties are no longer afraid of them.

“Teams are no longer afraid of Liverpool. It is slowly reflecting what has happened to Old Trafford.

“As a player I was dreading going to Manchester United. You used to play well there and still get beaten, nowadays you win if you play well there. If you play well at Liverpool now, there is a good chance you will win.”

When comparing their performance to their failed title defense in 2020-21, Merson said that season’s performance was “understandable” after taking the weight off expectation after winning the league for the first time in 30 years.

However, he said there are “no excuses” this season.

Liverpool are losing their fear factor and this season is already worse than the season they defended the title. In 2020/21 they had just won the competition for the first time in how many years. I could understand that season.

“But it’s very different now, Liverpool know that. They have that experience and there is no excuse for their performance this season.’

However, as questions began to surface over Klopp’s future, Merson said any decision would ultimately be his own.

Will Klopp think he has taken Liverpool as far as he can? I’m not sure, but one thing I know for sure: it will be his decision in the end. Liverpool must keep him but when the time comes to make a decision it will be his,” he wrote.

“Klopp is an elite manager, he is not in the job of finishing fourth in the league, for those types of managers that is not a success.

“He will want change. I don’t think he got that much support, yes they spent £85m on Darwin Nunez but that was one player, they need a few more if they want to get back to where they were.’

Merson said the constant string of poor results only adds to players’ fatigue, showing that it could turn into a vicious circle of decline that becomes increasingly difficult to stop.

“Like players, Klopp will get tired, and you’ll get more tired when you don’t win games compared to when you win,” he said.

“You have to remember that the majority of this group of players has been tearing it apart for the past six years. That will eventually take its toll on every player, I don’t care who you are.’