Paul Merson says fan reaction at Liverpool shows Arne Slott is up to it at Anfield, but the Sky Sports pundit remains confident they can finish above Man United next season.
It has been a difficult season for Liverpool, who have fallen dramatically in the table since winning the Premier League in their first season in the slot last year. Their wait for Champions League qualification continues after last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea, a result that was booed by the Anfield crowd.
Despite further criticism of Slott from supporters, he is believed to maintain the support of Anfield’s hierarchy and vowed to win fans back next season, saying he was “100 per cent confident” the team would be a different team next season.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Melson gives his verdict on how Liverpool and a strengthened Manchester United will fare next season, and also discusses the disallowed goals of Arsenal and West Ham, as well as Chelsea’s next candidates…
Read all the latest opinions on Magic Man…
“Liverpool will finish above Manchester United next season”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
On Gary Neville’s podcast, Nev and Carla discuss whether Liverpool or Manchester United are better suited for next season.
It has been a frustrating season for both Liverpool and Slott. They are very knowledgeable Liverpool fans.
Controversy arose at the weekend when Rio Ngmoja were eliminated in a draw with Chelsea.
I know Slott said Rio was cramping, but it wasn’t like Rio was sitting on the floor stretching.
Friday, May 15th 7pm
Kickoff at 8pm
Sunday, May 17th 12pm
12:30pm kickoff
Sometimes it’s easy for managers to say who’s the youngest. And take them off.
The fans weren’t stupid either. Gakpo could have easily missed and Rio could have stayed. Only he knows if he has a seizure or not, but when the crowd is making it known, Slott is resisting it.
A lot has happened at Liverpool. I feel sorry for them for everything that happened. They too have suffered many injuries.
But I don’t think it’s all bad for Liverpool and I think they will finish above Manchester United next season. We also don’t know what will happen this summer.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher hilariously debate which club has the brighter future between Manchester United and Liverpool and which club is closer to winning the Premier League.
why? There are so many players who have had good seasons at Man United, but apart from Dominik Szoboszlai, very few have had good seasons at Liverpool.
If you look at the Manchester United squad, there are six or seven players who have performed above average this season.
Alexander Isak will be fit and Florian Wirtz will be able to play a year in the league. I’m sure Liverpool will finish above Manchester United.
Watch Aston Villa v Liverpool (Friday, 8pm) and Man United v Nottingham Forest (Sunday, 12.30pm) this weekend on Sky Sports
Melson: “The Invincibles will always be the best Arsenal team in history”
Meanwhile, Merson believes Arsenal’s invincible season will still outweigh their chances of winning the Premier League and Champions League.
Gunners legend Ian Wright says Mikel Arteta’s side will go down as the club’s best-ever team if they win the double this season. However, Merson believes this result is no better than the undefeated side of the 2003/04 season.
“It would also be possible to win the Premier League and win the Champions League,” he said.
Monday, May 18th 6:30pm
Kickoff at 8pm
“You can never be invincible again.
“We have already won the Champions League, but apart from that team, no one is invincible. It’s much harder to be invincible in this day and age.
“I don’t agree with[Wright’s opinion]because Man United and Man City have already done that. But they weren’t invincible.”
“If Raya catches it, West Ham will get a penalty.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Paul Merson has given his opinion on the result of the Premier League match between West Ham and Arsenal. In the match, the Hammers’ late goal was ruled out after a VAR check.
Melson also weighed in on the decision to disallow West Ham’s crucial goal at the end of Sunday’s Premier League match against Arsenal.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially ruled for Callum Wilson’s equalizer in stoppage time, but changed his decision after being advised by VAR official Darren England to reconsider.
Officials ruled that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was fouled by Pablo Felipe while trying to take a corner. This is said to be one of the most important VAR calls in Premier League history, affecting both the top and bottom of the division.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Ref Watch takes a closer look at the momentous decision to concede a second-half equalizer between West Ham and Arsenal, and explains why it took so long to reach the decision to overturn it.
“This is a Stonewall foul, but there’s so much going on around the foul,” Merson said.
“If Raya comes and catches the ball, West Ham will get a penalty because of the foul on Declan Rice and the foul on Trossard.
“I don’t think the goalkeeper should have come in the first place. In my opinion, it’s not a man’s area. When he comes, he’s not going to get there.
“With Havertz, you also have to look at the start, he was fouled.
“In the end, fair play to the referee because he went and made a big decision in front of 60,000 West Ham fans. It’s a big, big decision.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp analyze West Ham’s disallowed equalizer in stoppage time.
Watch Arsenal vs Burnley on Monday Night Football from 6.30pm on Sky Sports. Kickoff at 8pm
Merce: Silva to Chelsea instead of Rosenior?
Finally, former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has emerged as the candidate with Chelsea’s best resume.
The Blues are looking for a manager with the highest level of experience. Alonso is highly regarded for his career as a player and manager at Bayer Leverkusen. There is also a general feeling that he was not given enough time at Real Madrid and would have been successful had he continued to work.
But while Merson believes Alonso is suitable for Chelsea, he has named another name for the permanent job at Stamford Bridge.
“You always think Xabi Alonso is going to be the next Liverpool manager, but given what he did last year I’d like to keep the slot open. But unless he’s told not to take the Liverpool job, he could certainly say Chelsea are the right place.”
“He was great at Leverkusen, but at Real Madrid he messed with the wrong people. You can’t mess with Vinicius Junior, so it will be interesting.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Kabe Solhekol provides an update on Chelsea’s head coaching vacancy and whether former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is suitable for the Blues.
“I like him. He’s a special player, he did great in Germany, but not so much in Spain. And he’s never managed in the Premier League.”
“I think it could be Marco Silva. He will live up to expectations. Iraola won’t like it when Chelsea are ahead in every game. I don’t know how he will turn things around.”
“Silva is still young. He doesn’t need to leave. He’s been in the Premier League for a long time and he’s been consistent. He’s done a really good job at Fulham.”
