Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Arne Slot’s Liverpool will finish higher than Manchester United next season.
After having won the Premier League title last season, Arne Slot’s team were one of the favourites this time around. Given the number of world-class players they brought in, not many would have predicted that they would still be fighting for a place in the Champions League this late in the season.
The Reds have failed to live up to expectations, with quite a few of their star players underperforming. While things haven’t gone their way in the 2025/26 campaign, Arsenal icon Paul Merson is optimistic that they will turn things around.
While speaking on Sky Sports, he predicted that Slot’s team will bounce back and finish above Manchester United, who have been on a roll since the start of the year.
Merson said, “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.”
Liverpool’s downfall and United’s revival
In what was Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield, Liverpool lifted the Premier League title without much difficulty. They were a cut above the rest in every aspect. While the Reds were flying high, their rivals, Manchester United, had hit rock bottom, as they were fighting for survival.
However, 12 months down the line, the Red Devils are ahead of the Merseyside club on the points table. United are 3rd with 65 points in their 36 matches, while Liverpool are 4th with 59 points. Despite a poor first half, the Manchester-based giants have managed to turn things around and secure Champions League football.
Michael Carrick, who took charge as interim boss mid-season, has helped them climb up the ladder at some pace. Meanwhile, the Reds have been very disappointing this season. They forked out a fortune to reinforce their squad last summer and were expected to dominate the league this time around.
However, they have been extremely inconsistent throughout. Slot’s team had the chance of securing Champions League football last time out, but they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea. The result didn’t go down well with the fans, who greeted their Dutch manager with boos.
Despite all the backlash, Slot is expected to be in charge next season as well, as he retains the backing of the hierarchy. Merson believes he will be able to turn things around and that the Merseyside club will finish above Manchester United.