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Liverpool news: Paul Merson singles out Arsenal star Mohamed Salah will ‘rip apart’
LIVERPOOL star Mohamed Salah will have a field day against Arsenal if Granit Xhaka plays at left-back, according to former Gunners forward Paul Merson.
Liverpool travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal next Saturday in the Premier League.
Xhaka, generally a midfielder, played at left-back in the second half of the 3-1 win over Leicester last Monday and in the 1-0 Europa League victory over Sporting Lisbon on Thursday.
Arsenal are on a fine run of form having won their last 11 games in all competitions.
They are likely to have at least one of Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac or Ainsley Maitland-Niles back after injury for the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Then they’ll come up against Salah in about two weeks time and he’ll get absolutely ripped
That would probably mean Xhaka will move back to his more preferred position in the middle of the park.
Merson says Emery would be right to not be tempted to keep Xhaka at left-back against Liverpool.
But he still thinks Liverpool will win the game comfortably whoever plays in that position.
“Xhaka played the second half at left-back, he played the other night at left-back,” Merson said on Soccer Saturday.
“So now they’re thinking ‘well he might play left-back’.
“Then they’ll come up against Salah in about two weeks time and he’ll get absolutely ripped.
“If they don’t lose by more than three goals next Saturday, I’d be shocked. I’d be shocked.
“Leicester are average at best and they should have been out of sight in 30 minutes.
“(Rob) Holding’s pulling people back on the halfway line, they’re not in the same class as this Liverpool team.
“If Liverpool turn up and they fancy it, and I have to say fancy it, they will rip Arsenal and they’ll get found out. They’ll get found out.
“They’re just waiting to get found out.
“They’re like a boxer who’s got a dodgy chin that hasn’t been hit yet.
“As soon as he gets hit he’s just going spark.”
Salah scored for Liverpool today in their 4-1 win over Cardiff, also claiming two assists.