Paul Merson says: Overlook Alexander Isak, Liverpool have to signal a centre-back

Paul Merson says Liverpool ought to neglect about signing striker Alexander Isak and give attention to bringing in a centre-back forward of their Premier League title defence.

On Tuesday, Sky Sports activities Information reported the Reds are in talks with Crystal Palace over the signing of Marc Guehi and imagine the defender desires to hitch them.

Liverpool get their league marketing campaign below manner on Friday once they face Bournemouth at Anfield, reside on Sky Sports activities Premier League (kick-off 8pm).

Powered by the attacking attributes of summer season signings Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool have been spectacular on the entrance foot at Wembley, slick of their combos and attention-grabbing with their progress up the pitch in opposition to Crystal Palace.

However they have been additionally susceptible defensively, twice conceding equalisers to Palace to undo their good offensive play after which crushed within the penalty shoot-out.

Merson, who was at Wembley final weekend, was involved by Liverpool’s defensive efficiency within the Group Protect and believes they want defensive reinforcements to spice up their title problem.

Learn on for the Magic Man’s ideas in full…

‘Issues for Slot to unravel forward of title defence’

There’s loads for Arne Slot to ponder going into the brand new season.

Final season could not have gone any higher for him, but it surely appears like there may be a lot extra for him to work out now.

Final yr, I believed the crew nearly picked itself. Nonetheless, this yr there looks like plenty of competitors for locations, and it will likely be tough to maintain everybody glad.

Doubtlessly throw in Alexander Isak and that downside will get greater.

I fear for Liverpool this yr, particularly on the again.

I used to be on the Group Protect on Sunday and it was regarding how simply they have been lower aside by Crystal Palace.

I am not fearful about them in assault. Going ahead they are going to be sensational and as a rule, they are going to rip groups aside.

Nonetheless, I can see them getting caught out on the again and significantly on the break. Groups will definitely have plans to harm them.

‘Isak to Liverpool ensures title? Not for me’

There’s been plenty of noise surrounding the potential deal to signal Isak, suggesting they are going to romp to the title in the event that they signal the striker from Newcastle. I hear lots of people saying that if Liverpool get Isak it is sport over within the Premier League. It is completed.

I simply do not see them successful the league as a foregone conclusion, Isak or not.

If I used to be Liverpool, I would be wanting extra for a centre again than Isak. That must be the precedence for Slot, whose foremost centre-back choices are Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.

Evaluate that to the ahead line and Slot has sufficient choices going ahead with no need Isak. Ekitike seemed superb in opposition to Crystal Palace. Wirtz can be a high participant. Everybody goes to take pleasure in watching him play this season. Throw in Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah and there are greater than sufficient choices there.

Why the desperation for Isak when it is apparent they so desperately want one other defender? Including Isak causes extra issues, if something, as a result of all of the forwards cannot all play.

Slot must combine issues up and alter issues always to maintain everybody glad and that causes issues.

‘Essential to strengthen defence forward of switch deadline’

It is so essential that Liverpool get a defender in earlier than the switch window closes.

They’ve additionally bought the difficulty of Konate heading into the ultimate yr of his deal at Anfield. They will not desire a Trent scenario once more with him subsequent summer season.

Then there’s Van Dijk. All people appears to be like good subsequent to him as a result of he is a Rolls Royce of a defender. He is that good.

But when he will get injured in any respect, I dread to suppose the place they’d be. He is a fantastic, nice participant and the lynchpin of the defence. With out him, it would be an enormous downside.

‘Salah efficiency a priority’

Lastly, it was a little bit of a worrying efficiency from Salah at Wembley.

I do not suppose I’ve seen a participant play that badly earlier than in a soccer match.

However that may be Salah. He can go lacking for a couple of weeks earlier than happening a run of scoring in 10 matches on the trot or smashing in a hat-trick.

One factor that is perhaps tough for him this season is enjoying in entrance of Jeremie Frimpong.

In comparison with Trent Alexander-Arnold, he is extra like an attacking winger.

With Trent, Salah might make any run and he’d be picked out. Trent would additionally appeal to defenders, leaving Salah extra space. Trent might destroy you himself.

Frimpong’s a very good participant however he isn’t a destroyer. He performs thus far ahead that he isn’t a pure defender. Trent wasn’t both however the identical factor applies actually, I feel Ibrahima Konate may very well be too uncovered.

There is a main downside down that aspect of the pitch, much more so than final season.

Watch Liverpool vs Bournemouth on Friday Evening Soccer, reside on Sky Sports activities from 7pm; kick-off 8pm

Sky Sports activities to indicate 215 reside Premier League video games from this season

From this season, Sky Sports activities’ Premier League protection will enhance from 128 matches to a minimum of 215 video games solely reside.

And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League video games this season might be on Sky Sports activities.