Liverpool get the defence of their Premier League crown underway this weekend but former Arsenal star Paul Merson has concerns over the Reds this term that could end up costing them
Paul Merson has slammed Mohamed Salah for the worst display he’s ever seen on the eve of Liverpool’s new Premier League campaign. The Reds head into the new campaign as defending champions.
But the season has not got off to the best of starts, with Liverpool having fallen to defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield. And Merson was worried by what he saw at Wembley – particularly Salah’s performance.
The Arsenal icon has suggested that the Egyptian’s relationship with summer signing Jeremie Frimpong could be exposed over the coming campaign. Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said: “It was a bit of a worrying performance from Salah at Wembley. I don’t think I’ve seen a player play that badly before in a football match.
“But that can be Salah. He can go missing for a few weeks before going on a run of scoring in 10 matches on the trot or smashing in a hat-trick.
“One thing that might be difficult for him this season is playing in front of Jeremie Frimpong. Compared to Trent Alexander-Arnold, he’s more like an attacking winger.”
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Merson added: “With Trent, Salah could make any run and he’d be picked out. Trent would also attract defenders, leaving Salah more space. Trent could destroy you himself.
“Frimpong’s a good player but he’s not a destroyer. He plays so far forward that he’s not a natural defender.
“Trent wasn’t either but the same thing applies really, I think Ibrahima Konate could be too exposed. There’s a major problem down that side of the pitch, even more so than last season.”
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Frimpong joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen this summer for a fee of £29.5m. Despite Merson’s reservations, he got his Liverpool career off to a bright start by scoring at Wembley.
Liverpool get their Premier League campaign underway on Friday evening as they welcome Bournemouth to Anfield. Salah will certainly be aiming to prove Merson wrong with his own bright start.
The 33-year-old enjoyed another stunning 24/25 with 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions. Salah also has a brilliant record against this weekend’s opponents Bournemouth with 11 goals in just 12 career appearances against the Cherries.
Following their clash with Bournemouth, Liverpool then take on Newcastle having been wrapped up in a transfer saga with the Magpies concerning their star striker Alexander Isak.
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