Paul Merson: Arne Slot's up against it at Liverpool but they will finish higher than Man Utd next season

Paul Merson says the fan reaction at Liverpool shows Arne Slot is up against it at Anfield, but the Sky Sports pundit is still confident they will finish above Man Utd next season.

It's been a difficult campaign for Liverpool, who have fallen dramatically since winning the Premier League in Slot's first season last year. Their wait to secure Champions League football goes on after a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea last Saturday - a result that was greeted with boos from the Anfield crowd.

It was yet more criticism for Slot from supporters but it is thought he retains the backing of the Anfield hierarchy and has pledged to win back fans next season, saying he is "100 per cent convinced" his side will be a different team next season.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Merson gives his verdict on how next season might go for both Liverpool and and improved Man Utd, plus he discusses Arsenal and that disallowed West Ham goal and who could be next for Chelsea...

Read on for all the Magic Man's latest views...

• Live Premier League table | Watch FREE PL highlights
• Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone?
• No Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW ?

'Liverpool will finish above Man Utd next season'

It's been a frustrating season for Liverpool and Slot. They're knowledgable fans at Liverpool.

There was the debate at the weekend with Rio Ngumoha coming off in the draw against Chelsea.

I know Slot said Rio was cramping up, but it's not like he was on the floor and they were stretching him out.

It's easy for managers sometimes to say who's the youngest? And bring them off.

The fans weren't silly. Gakpo could've easily come off and Rio stayed on. Only he knows if he had cramp, but Slot's up against it, when the crowd are letting you know that.

A lot's gone on at Liverpool. I do feel sorry for them with everything that's gone on. They've had a lot of injuries too.

However, I don't think it's all bad for Liverpool and I think they will finish above Man Utd next season. That's also without knowing what happens this summer.

Why? So many players have had good seasons for Man Utd and hardly anyone has for Liverpool, bar Dominik Szoboszlai.

You go through Man Utd's team and there's six or seven players who have been above average this season.

Alexander Isak will be fit, Florian Wirtz will have a year in the league. I'm confident Liverpool will finish above Man Utd.

Watch Aston Villa vs Liverpool (Friday, 8pm) and Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest (Sunday, 12.30pm) on Sky Sports this weekend

Merson: Invincibles will always be best Arsenal side ever

Meanwhile, Merson believes Arsenal's invincible season would still surpass potentially winning the Premier League and Champions League.

Gunners legend Ian Wright said Mikel Arteta's side would go down as the best team in the club's history if they complete the double this season. But Merson reckons the achievement wouldn't be better than the unbeaten side of 2003/04.

"Winning the Premier League and winning the Champions League could be done again," he said.

"Being invincible will never be done again.

"Winning the Champions League has already been done but no one's been invincible before bar that team. It's a lot harder to go invincible in this day and age.

"I don't [agree with Wright] because Man Utd and Man City have already done that, but they haven't been invincible."

'If Raya takes the catch then West Ham get a penalty'

Merson also had his say on the decision to disallow a crucial West Ham goal at the end of Sunday's Premier League match against Arsenal.

Referee Chris Kavanagh initially awarded Callum Wilson's stoppage-time equaliser but changed his decision after being advised to review it by VAR Darren England.

The officials ruled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was fouled by Pablo Felipe as he attempted to claim a corner. It was described as one of the most pivotal VAR calls in Premier League history, impacting both the top and bottom of the division.

"It's a stonewall foul but there's so much going on around the foul," Merson said.

"If Raya comes and catches the ball, West Ham will get a penalty because Declan Rice is fouling, Trossard's fouling.

"I don't think the goalkeeper should have come in the first place. I thought it was in no man's land, in my opinion. When he comes, he's just not going to get there.

"You've got to look at the start as well with Havertz, he is getting fouled.

"Fair play to the ref in the end, you know, because he's gone and made a big decision in front of 60,000 West Ham fans, which is a big, big decision."

Watch Arsenal vs Burnley on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports from 6.30pm; kick off 8pm

Merse: Silva to replace Rosenior at Chelsea?

Finally, former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has emerged as the candidate with the best CV for the Chelsea job.

The Blues want a manager with experience at the highest level. Alonso is highly regarded because of his playing career and his managerial record at Bayer Leverkusen. There is also a general feeling that he wasn't given enough time at Real Madrid and he would have been successful if he had kept his job.

However, while Merson thinks Alonso could be a good fit for Chelsea, he put forward another name to take the permanent job at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "You always think Xabi Alonso is going to be the next Liverpool manager - I'd keep Slot, because of what he did last year. But unless he's been told he's not getting the Liverpool job, he might say yeah Chelsea's a good fit.

"He was brilliant at Leverkusen, he messed with the wrong people at Real Madrid. You can't do that, messing with Vinicius Junior, so it'll be interesting.

"I like him, he was a special player and did great in Germany but not so much in Spain. Plus, he hasn't managed in the Premier League.

"I think it could be Marco Silva. He ticks the boxes. Iraola won't like what he sees with Chelsea being outrun in every game, I don't know how he'd turn that around.

"Silva's only up the road too, wouldn't have to move, he's been in the Premier League a long time and is steady. He's done a really good job at Fulham."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Paul Merson: Arne Slot's up against it at Liverpool but they will finish higher than Man Utd next season