Paul Merson insists Liverpool are ‘favourites’ to win the Premier League but says their title push could start to falter if Virgil van Dijk was to pick up an injury.
Arne Slot’s side have moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League and have a game in hand over title rivals Arsenal.
Liverpool dropped points in back-to-back games earlier in the month but scored two injury-time goals in a crucial win over Brentford before thumping Ipswich Town 4-1.
The Reds will look to maintain their title tilt on Saturday when they visit high-flying Bournemouth, before Arsenal face a potentially tricky test at home to Manchester City.
Merson believes Liverpool will drop points against Bournemouth this weekend, giving Arsenal renewed hope as they seek to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
The 56-year-old former Arsenal and England winger also wonders how Liverpool will cope should captain Van Dijk be ruled out for a significant period of time.
‘February will be a defining month in the Premier League for Liverpool,’ Merson told Sportskeeda.
‘In addition to their upcoming trip to Bournemouth, they face both Everton and Manchester City away from home this month.
‘If Liverpool get seven points from these three fixtures, they will win the Premier League!
‘But then again, you look at these fixtures and think, “Bournemouth are bang in form, Everton are a different beast under Moyes and well, Manchester City can beat anyone on their day”.
‘Even though Liverpool have been incredible in the Premier League this season, these games will be tricky to navigate.
‘I don’t see Liverpool beating Bournemouth this weekend! It’s one of the toughest stadiums to visit in the Premier League and Bournemouth are absolutely flying at the moment.
‘We saw how Brentford troubled Liverpool and I think Bournemouth can do the same here.
‘They are still favourites to win the league. The only problem they could face would be with Virgil van Dijk. If he gets injured, what do they do?
‘Arne Slot has enough options as cover everywhere else but not at centre-back. Van Dijk has played every minute of every single Premier League game this season and that shows how important he is to this team.’
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