Florian Wirtz
CAM
Germany
Analysis
Liverpool: Paul Merson 'worried' after assessing Andoni Iraola, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola
Sky Sports' Paul Merson discusses Liverpool's slow start to the Premier League season; the Reds have recorded three draws in four games and sit in seventh place; Merson also gives his views on Spurs, Villa's relegation fears and the gulf in quality Arsenal have created at the top
Paul Merson Football Expert & Columnist @PaulMerse
Monday 14 September 2026 15:11, UK
Image:Paul Merson says he is worried about Liverpool this season
In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson says he is worried about Liverpool this season while also raising questions about both Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola.
The Reds were held to their third draw across their opening four Premier League games following the 0-0 against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday and now sit in seventh place.
They face a struggling Tottenham side in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before Andoni Iraola returns to Bournemouth, with both games being shown live on Sky Sports ahead of the international break.
"Unbeaten but unsatisfied," is how Sky Sports' Adam Bate described the performance against Fulham as an underwhelming start to the new season continued.
Merson has echoed that sentiment while also raising concerns about Iraola, as well as big-money signings Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola.
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Read below for the Magic Man's thoughts as he also discusses the key problems causing the struggles at Tottenham, whether or not Aston Villa are genuine relegation contenders, and the gulf in quality Arsenal have created at the top of the table.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s match against Fulham in the Premier League.
'Is Iraola finding it more difficult than expected?'
I'm worried for Liverpool at the moment, in a way, because that was a bad result on Saturday. That was a very bad result.
I don't know if the manager is finding it a bit more difficult than he probably would after making the jump from Bournemouth to Anfield.
No disrespect to Bournemouth but if they draw at home to Fulham 0-0, it is not a problem.
Liverpool draw at home to Fulham, it is headline news. That is what he's got to get used to as well. He's got to let the shackles off, open it up a bit.
You watch the games now, every weekend that goes past, Man City and Arsenal are so far ahead of everybody else. It's mind-blowing how big the gulf is.
Wirtz worry and was Barcola the right option for Liverpool?
I don't know how long they can wait on Florian Wirtz. I'm a big fan of him, I think he's a special player. But it isn't working; it just isn't working.
I don't know how long they can wait. I also like Bradley Barcola, but I'm not sure if he was what they needed.
If you said to me, what's Barcola's game? He's quick. Now, you play at Liverpool, you don't really have to be that quick.
You don't have to be like the fastest man in the Premier League. You've got to have a bit more. And at the moment, I am not sure.
He'll have his games, don't get me wrong, but I think they needed someone with more guile.
Mohamed Salah, when he ripped it up, had that guile and that is why he was so successful at the club.
You don't just need pace at Liverpool. No one has a go at Liverpool. Everyone sits players behind the ball.
There's no other tactics and that is a worry.
Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur
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Mindset and confidence is the key problem at Spurs
The first 15, 20 minutes I thought they were outstanding [vs Everton].
I thought the way they passed it, moved it, it caused problems for Everton. But they didn't get that goal. And when they don't get that goal, then that mindset sets in again.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League clash between Tottenham and Everton.
I think they'd still be playing now [without scoring], wouldn't they? That is the problem. They need to score early. And confidence is the thing as well.
I say any footballer, I don't care if you're under 10s or professional, if you can bottle one thing, it's confidence.
And at the moment, they just haven't got that confidence and the belief. And that's the problem, that belief.
Arsenal will defend title comfortably
I think they will win the Premier League by double digits. I think they'll win it easy.
I look at Arsenal's fixtures; Man City away, Man United away, Chelsea away, Liverpool away. After those four games, I don't know who's beating Arsenal.
They're just a hard, hard team to beat. I don't see them losing a lot of football matches this season.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League clash between Sunderland and Arsenal.
The shackles are off a bit. No one can call Arsenal bottle jobs anymore. So the pressure is off.
And they just play with that feeling like they've had an email through and told them, 'you know what the score is going to be already'.
I just watched them against Villa, and you watch them against Sunderland, and there's no panic.
They play, it's patient. They will score in the end and the opposition won't. That is the way they are at the moment.
Are Villa genuine relegation contenders?
No, no. I think they have too many good players, if I'm being honest. I think it was a terrible result against Nottingham Forest. It was worrying.
They were dominating but couldn't score a goal. But I'd be shocked if they got relegated.
They've got too many good players and they've got one of the best managers in the business. They're just having a little bit of a time at the moment.
I do think this is a big game this weekend [vs Tottenham], though. It's a huge game. Down at the bottom, if you're down there, you're down there.
I don't worry about Tottenham or Villa, but I think it's a big game for both teams because it's a momentum swinger.
You win it, then you can kick on after the international break. It's a big football match.
_ Watch Liverpool vs Tottenham in the Carabao Cup live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm on September 15. Kick-off 9pm. _
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