Paul Merson says Liverpool duo wouldn’t get in the Everton side this weekend
Paul Merson doesn’t think the starting Liverpool midfield pairing last week would be able to get into the Everton side amid their poor start to the season.
The Toffees got their first point of the campaign last weekend in the draw with Nottingham Forest, and only sit a point behind their local rivals after they were beaten by Manchester United on Monday night (22 August).
Jurgen Klopp’s side are dealing with injuries and had veteran English pair James Milner and Jordan Henderson in the centre of midfield for that defeat, and for all Everton’s struggles to answer their striker question their own midfield is somewhat of a strength.
Speaking live on Sky Sports in a clip shared to the Football Daily Twitter page Merson said: “You’ve got Henderson and Milner playing in midfield together. No disrespect to them two who are great pros and have been very top drawer players.
“I don’t think they’re going to be playing for Everton this weekend if Everton were playing.”
Everton of course are playing at Brentford Saturday afternoon (27 August), as Liverpool host Bournemouth.
Tables have turned
As the red half of Merseyside pushed for the title and reached finals last year the blue half were battling against dropping into the Championship.
Amid a huge swell of fan support and the tactical changes from Frank Lampard that fight was ultimately won, but the new campaign has yet to see much of a gap.
The signing of Belgian prodigy Amadou Onana has added to a unit that could yet see Idrissa Gueye return to boost their ranks further.
The major strides made by Alex Iwobi under Lampard, plus the presence of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan, mean that there is every chance that Merson is right about the respective midfields.
Such has been the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs in recent years it will be a refreshing change for a debate to fall on this side.
It may be unlikely that the balance of power in the city is set to switch any time soon, but with Neal Maupay finally signed as a new striker and the potential for further new arrivals before the window shuts fans will be hopeful they can start to reel in their local rivals.