Paul Merson has voiced a crucial concern for Liverpool’s Premier League title ambitions, pointing to the potential impact of an injury to Virgil van Dijk.
Despite Liverpool’s impressive form this season, Merson believes their chances of securing the title could dramatically decrease if the Dutch defender were to be sidelined for any length of time.
Van Dijk, who has been an ever-present in Liverpool’s defense, playing every minute of every Premier League match this season, is described by Merson as the backbone of the team.
His leadership and ability to marshal the defense have been key to their success, and without him, Merson fears the Reds might struggle to maintain their high standards.
Looking ahead, Merson highlights a challenging month of fixtures for Liverpool. February sees them facing in-form Bournemouth, a tough away trip to Everton, and a clash against Manchester City, a team that can be deadly on any given day.
Merson isn’t convinced Liverpool will emerge unscathed from these tough matches, particularly with Bournemouth’s recent surge in form and Everton’s improvement under David Moyes.
According to Merson, if Liverpool can secure seven points from these three games, they will be in a strong position to claim the title. However, any slip-ups could give their title rivals, especially Arsenal, a chance to close the gap.
Merson also acknowledges the depth of Liverpool’s squad in most areas but insists that center-back remains a potential weak spot if Van Dijk is unavailable.
While manager Arne Slot has options in other positions, Merson believes that without a fully fit Van Dijk, Liverpool may struggle to find a suitable replacement at the heart of defense.