Paul Merson has admitted that he ‘can’t believe’ Liverpool haven’t tried harder to play Leeds United on Boxing Day.
Liverpool announced on Thursday that Sunday’s visit of Leeds has been postponed.
The Elland Road club are enduring a coronavirus outbreak in West Yorkshire after a number of players recorded positive results.
A victory for Manchester City at home to Leicester City on Sunday will see Pep Guardiola’s side move six points clear of the Anfield outfit.
With Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah preparing to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations, now isn’t the time to fall too far behind the reigning Premier League champions.
And Merson, speaking to Sportskeeda, has admitted he is shocked that Liverpool didn’t fight harder to get Leeds – who also have an injury crisis at Thorp Arch – to play the match.
He said: “Liverpool’s game with Leeds has been canceled and I can’t believe they haven’t tried harder to keep this game on. There’s no better time to play Leeds, and Liverpool could now find themselves over seven points behind Manchester City before the end of the year.”
Harsh
You can’t really level criticism at Liverpool here, can you?
It isn’t the Reds’ fault that Leeds players have contracted covid and although it certainly benefits the Whites – who, as mentioned, have an injury-hit squad as it is – it’s hard to suggest that Klopp and co are at fault.
If the Premier League rules that Leeds have legitimate grounds for postponing the clash then the Merseysiders’ hands are tied basically.
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