2 days ago
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Paul Merson, the former Arsenal star, has shifted his allegiance for this season's Premier League title.
He now backs Liverpool, firmly believing that the Reds, led by Alexander Isak, will retain their crown. Merson's change of heart came after the dramatic end to the summer window, which saw Liverpool secure the signature of the much-anticipated Swedish striker.
The Reds emerged as the clear winners in the Premier League's transfer market, embarking on a record-breaking spending spree and securing early deals for players such as Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong. On the final day of the transfer window, following a drawn-out saga involving the clubs and the player himself, Liverpool finally secured their primary target, Newcastle's Isak.
The striker made the move to Anfield for a British transfer record fee of £125 million ($169 million).
Before the window closed, Merson had tipped Arsenal for its long-awaited Premier League victory. However, the new arrivals on Merseyside seem to have quickly changed his mind.
When asked if Liverpool are now the favorites for the title, the former England international told Sky Sports: "Yeah, I would have thought so after yesterday as well.
"After you got [Isak]. See, I always weigh it up with the league [after some time]. I thought advantage Arsenal when they went and won at Man United, then all of a sudden they [Liverpool] go and beat Newcastle and they beat Arsenal.
"For me, they haven't even gotten out of second gear yet and they haven't played particularly well yet. Watching yesterday's game, I watched yesterday and I'm like, I've never seen an Arsenal team so comfortable at Anfield - so comfortable and they still lost.
"What they are doing as well, as Christian [Purslow] said, they're buying players to come into the team and these are top players."
The Reds have strengthened their squad with outstanding quality from a position of dominance. Missing out on Guehi represented a late setback, with center-back arguably the only position where manager Arne Slot lacks sufficient cover.
Nevertheless, Liverpool has claimed three wins from three league games - albeit not with the commanding performances many might anticipate given the attacking prowess at the team's disposal.
Federico Chiesa's 88th-minute goal was needed to restore the lead against Bournemouth on opening day, while 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha's strike in the 10th minute of added time secured a 3-2 victory over 10-man Newcastle the following week. A stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai in the 83rd minute clinched the win for Liverpool against Arsenal.
However, these late victories simply underscore the tenacity that often saw Slot's team triumph last season.
Liverpool is the only side with an unblemished record and enters the international break with a two-point lead. The league leaders will travel to newly promoted Burnley after the international break, followed by a Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid, and then the Merseyside derby at Anfield on 20 September.
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