‘Need to start playing’: Paul Merson predicts number of points Liverpool could lose if poor form continues

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Liverpool’s poor form before the international break has been a cause for concern.Arne Slot’s side were beaten by Chelsea 2-1 in their final game before national sides competed in World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, as his team lost their third straight game in a week.Their Premier League losses have meant that Arsenal are now one point ahead in the title race, but the Reds have a chance to try to get back on track as they host Manchester United on Sunday.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. On paper, this is a game that Liverpool should easily beat United, a side who have been inconsistent and plagued by issues off the pitch, although they are known to show more fight in big games.Gaining those three points will be huge in boosting the confidence of Slot’s team and also for maintaining pressure on the Gunners, something that Paul Merson is not sure they will be able to do.Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesPaul Merson believes Liverpool could lose eight pointsThe former Arsenal player has been very vocal about his belief that his old club will win the league this year, especially after the poor run of results for Liverpool.However, what he has pointed out is how the Reds have played all season, believing that they have not played at all, and that he expects in this current form for this side to drop eight points.READ MORE: Paul Merson believes Liverpool star will be key vs Manchester United as he delivers predictionSpeaking to Premier League Friday, Merson said that even after Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal, thanks to a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, he was not worried about Mikel Arteta’s chances.He explained: “I think they need to make it quickly because I do not see who is going to beat Arsenal.

The day when they played Liverpool away and Szoboszlai got that absolute worldie of a goal, I am sitting there watching that game thinking this is the most comfortable I have seen an Arsenal team at Anfield."I don't see who is going to beat Arsenal" 🤔Paul Merson says Liverpool "haven't played well" this season and need to start finding form if they are to challenge Arsenal for the title 🔴 pic.twitter.com/3VnY7r5DE3— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 17, 2025 View Tweet “You could take eight points off Liverpool. People will go, they have not started well, great teams win games when they are not playing well… The Arsenal game was only the worldie goal, barring that, they did not look like scoring.

They will be looking at it in a positive way of going we have not played well and we are one point behind. But they need to start playing.”Liverpool are unlikely to drop eight pointsIt seems that Merson, fairly, is showing huge support for his former club, but believing that eight points could be taken off this team from now on seems unfair.Most of the players are returning from the break with fresh confidence, and with the United game at Anfield, the support from the crowd could spur them on for a spectacular performance.It is fair to assume, based on the last results, that they will struggle, but in context, the number of games and changes made had a huge effect on all the performances.If the team do lose to the Red Devils, there should be more cause for concern, but looking at the fixtures and how this team has reacted in the past to setbacks, they should deliver points in abundance.