Liverpool are currently joint-top of the Premier League table.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Paul Merson has claimed that Liverpool’s forward options are what makes them contenders for the title this season.
The Reds have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign and following the win over Crystal Palace on Saturday are joint top of the Premier League table on points.
A notable aspect of their play has been their power in attack, with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho forming a deadly front three.
They have so far managed 12 goals between them, helping their team to be the joint highest goalscorers in the division alongside Manchester City.
Their strong start has sparked suggestions that they will be title contenders this season and Merson says their power up front is the reason why they are.
“This [the forward line] is the big difference between Liverpool being big contenders for the Premier League this year,” he told Sky Sports.
“They have options up front and they will score goals for fun every week. I’m not sure of them at the back but when you have players who can score goals…”
The former midfielder has however warned them that they have to be top after the next six or seven games if they wish to win the title.
The Reds are entering a period in which they take on teams they would expect to beat, with three of their next six games coming against teams in the bottom half of the table.
A run in those games could see them take a commanding lead at the top of the table and Merson insists that has to be the case.
“For me, it is the next six or seven games [that will decide it],” he added.
“They’ve got to be top of the league within the next six or seven games. I think if they aren’t, then I don’t see them winning the league. If they are, they have every single chance of winning this Premier League.”
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