‘MY WORRY’: PAUL MERSON SAYS PLAYER LIVERPOOLLIVERPOOL MISSED OUT ON COULD ALREADY LEAVE CHELSEA

Paul Merson thinks one-time Liverpool transfer target Enzo Fernandez could already be planning his Chelsea exit.

It has been nearly 12 months since, money-crazy Chelsea, put a then-British record transfer fee on the table for Enzo Fernandez’s talents after he helped Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Many teams were interested in the Benfica star, including Jurgen Klopp, but the all-action midfielder opted for Stamford Bridge instead of Liverpool.

At the time, the London club were still in the Champions League, but it didn’t take them too long to crash out of that tournament, and then continue to struggle in the Premier League.

Fast forward to the present, nothing much has changed for the 22-year-old, who has only been a part of one Premier League win against current sides in the division, with Merson adding ‘I don’t think he hangs around’, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports (27/09/23 at 7:35 pm).

It makes for damning reading, with Paul Merson explaining why Enzo Fernandez could leave.

Enzo Fernandez to leave Chelsea?

“My worry would be Enzo Fernandez,” said Merson. “I don’t think he hangs around. I think if it carries on like it is, £100 million player and a World Cup-winner.

“These players don’t want to play middle-of-the-table football. They don’t. They have got the money. They want to win trophies. That’s what it’s all about, winning trophies. They all get big money now.”

Who will finish higher – Liverpool or Chelsea?

At the start of the season, the duo’s aim would have been to make a return to the Champions League after shooting themselves in the foot last season, some more than others.

But, as of this moment, it’s those on Merseyside who are flying, whilst Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea are struggling to score goals, never mind pick-up points.

All in all, you would back the Reds to finish higher than Chelsea, with the points gap between the two already 11 points.

READ MORE……

Graeme Souness makes Micah Richards look foolish after Dominik Szoboszlai prediction at Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai lit up Anfield with a stunning strike during Liverpool’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory versus Leicester City on Wednesday evening.

The Hungarian has hit the ground running at Anfield since joining the club from RB Leipzig this summer and is showing no signs of letting up after his latest special contribution in a Reds shirt.

Few could have imagined the 22-year-old would have enjoyed a start to life at Liverpool as successful as this, though Jurgen Klopp will certainly not be complaining after reaping the rewards of his midfield acquisition.

It hasn’t taken long for Szoboszlai to make an impression on those watching him on a weekly basis, who have been left blown away since viewing the Reds’ No.8 in action.

Garth Crooks was impressed after seeing Szoboszlai come close to scoring in the 3-1 victory at the expense of Bournemouth in August, having seen an ambitious effort parried which Diogo Jota was on hand to convert. Writing in his BBC Sport column, Crooks said: “He can certainly play. Liverpool’s new signing Szoboszlai showed all the touches of a good player against Bournemouth and looks like he wants to be constantly involved in the play. Well, if he’s going to wear Liverpool’s number eight shirt, someone at Anfield had better tell him what that means and who has worn that shirt before him.

“Sammy Lee, Brian Hall, Jimmy Case and Steven Gerrard, who immortalised the jersey, have all worn that shirt with distinction. Szoboszlai needs to know he has big shoes to fill and a heart to match.”

Such comments were recently echoed by ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock after the weekend win over West Ham United. “He’s an outstanding footballer,” stated Warnock. “When you think about all-round game, athletically he looks an absolute beast of a player when he runs past players, he’s got that second, third, fourth gear to ease past and execute a pass.”

Graeme Souness had high hopes for the Hungary captain after seeing him arrive on Merseyside and tipped him, alongside Alexis Mac Allister, to shine at his new club. Souness said: “I like Szoboszlai and I am a big fan of Mac Allister. With (Wataru) Endo, we will wait and see. Getting good reviews playing in the Bundesliga doesn’t mean you will be a success in the Premier League, which is very demanding and the intensity is greater there than anywhere else. Let’s see how he deals with that.

“When you looked at the age, it was not rocket science [it was going to end badly]. They were at an age where you should have been watching it very closely. They have done it now and I think Mac Allister and Szoboszlai are going to be stars for Liverpool, but I would still like them to have an out-and-out top-class holding midfielder.”

Taking praise for the £60m signing to the next level, one-time Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes no other new Premier League player has come close to matching his impact. Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Wolves after the international break in his Sportskeeda column, Merson said: “The Premier League is back after what felt like one of the longest international breaks in history! The 2023-24 campaign may just be four game weeks old, but we’ve already seen a fair share of action and unexpected results, while a handful of new signings have laid down the marker for what’s to come.

“Dominik Szoboszlai has been the pick of the bunch, for me. I hadn’t seen much of the lad while he was at RB Leipzig but I have to say I’ve been so impressed by him, he hasn’t had a bad game yet! He scored a worldie the other day and does a bit of everything, he’s going to be phenomenal for Liverpool in the coming years.”

Not everyone was sold on Szoboszlai, however. Micah Richards remained unsure over the youngster and his ability to adapt to English football when sharing his verdict on the Liverpool’s new recruit ahead of the opening weekend of the season. “Szoboszlai is a good player, I just don’t know if he can deal with the pace of the league,” he told The Rest Is Football podcast. “I think he’s going to be a slow burner.”

Team-mates of Szoboszlai were quick to react to his stunning strike against Leicester yesterday evening, with Jude Bellingham also leaving a comment after witnessing his powerful effort. Endo said: “What a goal.” Mac Allister added: “Keep drinking mate [South American herbal tea].” While Bellingham remarked: “Szobooo,”. accompanied by a rocket emoji.