Paul Merson says Arne Slot has a ‘few problems’ over the make-up of his star-studded Liverpool team and could be forced to drop one of his new signings.
The defending Premier League champions spent over £400m in the summer transfer window, bolstering Slot’s squad with the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool were linked with Isak for several weeks and finally secured his signature on deadline day for a British record £125m.
Merson has dismissed suggestions the title race is ‘all over’ following Liverpool’s extraordinary window and says Slot will need to work out the best system for his talented and deep squad.
The ex-England winger has also questioned Wirtz’ role in the Liverpool team and says he is unsure whether the £115m signing will have a regular place in the side.
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‘I’m not sure about Alexander Isak at £125m,’ Merson told Sky Sports. ‘I like Isak, he’s a good player.
‘But it all depends on whether it works with the frontline. You can have the best players in the world, but if it doesn’t gel, you don’t have the chemistry.
‘When Liverpool were at their best, it was Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Firmino would drop off, Salah would make those runs in, and Mane too; there was chemistry.
‘Firmino wasn’t a £125m player, but he made it all tick. Time will tell if this new set-up gels. What Arne Slot has now is a lot of head-scratching, because he’s got big decisions to make with very good players.
‘I like Florian Wirtz, but I’m struggling to find a position for him now. I don’t know if he plays, because that midfield three of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai has got to play.
Will Florian Wirtz be a success at Anfield?
‘This is normal, after such a big move abroad,’ Germany legend Lothar Matthaus recently said about Wirtz’s early struggles at Liverpool.
‘But he is a great player, will get used to the Premier League over time and be able to handle even greater pressure.
‘I felt the same way at Inter Milan at first. Andi Brehme, whose transfer was rather silent, immediately performed in Milan.
‘I also had to get used to everything because of the media hype and the higher transfer fee.’
‘I don’t know where Wirtz fits in. If Hugo Ekitike comes in, Cody Gakpo won’t play. If Gakpo goes out to the left, then Ekitike won’t play. Slot’s got a few problems coming up.
‘I don’t think the title is all over just because Isak has signed. The problem is Liverpool haven’t played well, yet they’ve beaten Newcastle and Arsenal.
‘That’s the issue: they’ve not been at their best, but they’ve still got those results.’
Wirtz has endured a subdued start to his Anfield career and is still waiting for his first goal or assist in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old former Bayer Leverkusen playmaker will look to break his duck on Sunday when Liverpool visit Premier League newcomers Burnley.
While Slot is still trying to figure out the best formula at Anfield, Liverpool are the only team still boasting a perfect record in the Premier League.
The Reds beat Bournemouth on the opening day, Newcastle United in a five-goal thriller and title rivals Arsenal last time out.
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