Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has questioned what more Liverpool can do to try and break Manchester City’s dominance of the Premier League.
The Reds are two points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side at the top of the table after four games of the new season, and Merson believes they just have to keep doing what they’re doing.
“I’m scratching my head as to what more Liverpool have to do,” he told Sky Sports. “They’ve just won their 13th straight match and made a trip to Burnley look easy. I played against the side that set Liverpool’s previous record with 12 wins on the spin in 1990. They used to win game in, game out but, crucially, they won things. They won the league.
“People talk about timing. At several points in Premier League history Liverpool would have won it easily, but there is a Manchester City side that are as phenomenal as they are. All Liverpool can do is keep doing what they’re doing, keep on winning, worry about themselves and make sure they keep City honest. If that fails, all you can do is hold your hands up.”
OPINION
This sounds like Merson is talking about last season, not this one. It’s City, not Liverpool, who have dropped points already this time round. Yes, it’s just two points at this early stage of the campaign, but we saw how crucial a point here and there was last time out. Merson is right in some things, though. Liverpool do just need to concentrate on themselves and see where their winning mentality takes them this season. They came so close last time out, and in any other Premier League season would have lifted the trophy. But they need to put that to the back of their minds now and concentrate on each game as it comes. To win 13 league games in a row is an astonishing achievement, and it speaks to how good a squad this is and how relentless they are in their pursuit of victory. They weren’t at their best against a good Burnley side last weekend, but they turned it on when it mattered and eventually eased to a 3-0 win. That’s what champions do. So perhaps Merson won’t be scratching his head come the end of the campaign.
