Paul Merson feels Liverpool are already facing a must-win trip to face West Ham United on Sunday to keep their Premier League title hopes alive, as noted in his Sportskeeda column.
The Reds travel to the London Stadium this weekend trailing Chelsea by three-points at the top of the table. And the Blues may pull further away when they host Burnley on Saturday.
Liverpool have slipped from the top spot in recent weeks having drawn three of their last five fixtures. While Chelsea have won four since losing to Manchester City in September.
Liverpool are the only remaining unbeaten Premier League side after 10 games and boast the division’s best offence. With no side outscoring Jurgen Klopp’s, after netting 29 goals.
Merson expects Liverpool will have enough to overcome David Moyes’ highly-flying West Ham if they perform to their usual standards.
But warns the Reds and Klopp that they cannot afford to leave London without all three-points, with Chelsea hosting Burnley.
“With Chelsea being favourites against Burnley, this is a must-win for Liverpool,” he wrote. “They have Arsenal to play after this, and they cannot afford to lose against West Ham.
“Liverpool have already topped their Champions League group and they’re going along nicely at the moment.
“If Liverpool are on song this weekend, I don’t see how West Ham can stop them.”
Is West Ham must-win for Liverpool?
Klopp is unlikely to see West Ham on Sunday as a must-win match for Liverpool’s Premier League title aspirations.
While Chelsea could open a six-point margin at the top of the table, the season is only one-quarter through.
What Klopp will want to see instead is Liverpool avoid the same defensive mishaps against West Ham that proved costly against Brighton, as the Seagulls came back from two behind.
The German will want to see his players have learnt from their mistakes to establish any title credentials. Showing they have what it takes to go the distance in a fight with Chelsea.
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