Merson: Liverpool could drop to fourth this season without reinforcements 

Paul Merson is the latest Football figure casting doubt on whether Liverpool can retain their league title this season.

The Reds won their first game of the new season against Leeds, but were made to fight every step of the way against the newly promoted side.

That performance carrying over from their lacklusture form to end the last campaign has sparked discussion whether they have the squad depth required to go again.

So far Liverpool has only added Greek left back Kostas Tsimikas in the transfer window to date, but Speaking on Sky Sports (via Metro), Merson says more is required 

“Liverpool could easily drop to fourth.

‘You look at the goals Liverpool let in against Leeds: wow. I just think they turned up and thought they would wipe the floor with Leeds. ‘

“I think they need to buy someone. 

“It would not surprise me if the finished fourth this season, and I thought that before this game.

‘It’s the same team, and they have a massive amount of players who have to play every week 

“Virgil van Dijk cannot get injured. The full-backs cannot get injured. They have not got anyone to replace the front three if they are injured.

Merson says in contrast, the Reds chief title rival will be able to cover losses.

“If Man City get injuries, they will just play.

“We’ll score more goals than you” anyway. 

“What we’ll see later in the season is teams like Man City come into the fold massively, because their squad is too big. 

“That’s why I worry about Liverpool, there’s five or six players who must play week in, week out, otherwise the team is weakened immensely.’

Merson’s comments follow on the back on former Reds striker Peter Crouch saying that he noticed a bit complacency of late.

Crouch is certainly not as pessimistic as Merson when it comes to the fortunes of Liverpool this season, but says some new faces would help their prospects.

“Liverpool are still my idea of champions and their squad is fantastic but there are always areas that need some investment.

“I looked at the defence against Leeds. They have got three great players in Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip but I believe they could do with another addition there, as I wouldn't want to see Fabinho used as the fourth-choice central defender.

“Look at the second goal they conceded, to Patrick Bamford. It was a rare mistake by Van Dijk that had a hint of complacency about it. Does he make the same mistake if Liverpool have signed a central defender this summer and pressure is being applied to his place? 

“Competition raises your standards by an extra one or two per cent."

Crouch also believes that the front line may need some tinkering and says his old club missed a trick in not signing the highly rated German talent in Timo Werner.

“There are only so many times Mohamed Salah, who bailed out his team, and Sadio Mane can produce heroics. 

“Adding another midfielder — such as Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara — or back-up striker would be welcomed. I have a feeling they missed a trick not getting Timo Werner."

There are some valid points and something that many fans have raised during the off-season.

At the end of the day, if Jurgen is content with what he has at his disposal and he sees these players on a daily basis, then who are we to argue?