Paul Merson gives answer to Arne Slot's biggest Liverpool derby selection dilemma

Paul Merson has told Arne Slot to select Conor Bradley at right-back against Everton due to the threat posed by a revitalized Jack Grealish.

Grealish's career stagnated at Manchester City last season, and the decision was taken that it would be best to move on, with the 30-year-old joining the Toffees on a season-long loan.

Grealish said after joining Everton that it was the only club he wanted to join, and he has started excellent at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

He sits atop the Premier League's assists chart having already set four goals up, while he won the league's player of the month award for August.

Grealish is undoubtedly Everton's danger man, and it is for that reason that Merson believes Bradley should play ahead of Jeremie Frimpong on Saturday.

“I would choose Conor Bradley at right-back because of Grealish," Merson told Sportskeeda. "If you play Jeremie Frimpong there, he’s not a good defender, and he bombs forward all the time. So I think Bradley is the best choice at right-back in this game.

“Arne Slot will have another headache on the other side, where Milos Kerkez has failed to hit the ground running. Not only did Andy Robertson replace him in the first half vs Burnley, but the Scot also scored against Atletico in the Champions League.

“There’s just so many options available for Liverpool, and Slot will have to ensure he keeps all of them happy.”

Merson also addressed the manner in which Liverpool has been winning games this season. The Reds have won five from five across the Premier League and Champions League since, but the winning goal in each of those games has come after the 80-minute mark — something that Merson says is not sustainable.

"Liverpool have done it again. They've been extremely lucky in the Premier League this season and they've now carried it to the Champions League as well. People keep telling me that they're showing signs of a champion team, but I just think they are lucky. And that's it.

I don't mean that in a bad way. But the problem with luck is that it runs out at some point. You can't be thinking you'll win every game like you did against Burnley and Atletico Madrid, that's not happening!

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