Paul Merson: This is why Liverpool and Arsenal won’t finish in the top four

With Chelsea nine points clear in the Premier League title race, attention is switching to the chase for Champions League football.

Just five points separate second place Tottenham and sixth place Manchester United.

Liverpool fans blast owners FSG after Hull defeat
Sat, February 4, 2017

Liverpool fans are not happy with the club's owners, FSG

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Liverpool fans are not happy with the club's owners FSG

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Paul Merson reckons Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger will suffer disappointment

And Merson believes that though things can change quickly, Liverpool and Arsenal will be the sides to lose out.

He told Sky Sports: "I think Chelsea winning the title is a given. You've only got to look at what they've done to teams outside the top six, winning 15 and drawing one, and they've only got two more games against top-six sides left. Then their nearest threats Tottenham go to Liverpool next weekend so there's a good chance they'll be even further clear.

"I'm putting Tottenham second though. I think they've got a very, very good 11 but I worry if Harry Kane got injured for a long period that neither Vincent Janssen or Heung-Min Son would do a job up front. In third place I'm going Man City, who I think have got too much in attack to miss out.

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Paul Merson says Chelsea won't be caught

"Then it can really come down to luck, especially if things are still this tight come the final five games. It's hard to read too much into the fixtures right now as you could be playing a team with nothing to play for while your rivals are against a side fighting for their lives.

"I'm going for Manchester United in fourth though as I think Jose Mourinho has got them going and I've said from day one Mkhitaryan is a fantastic player, so having him firing is a huge boost.

"I think Liverpool and Arsenal will end up with bad seasons, but it can all change. You could ask me next week and Liverpool have beaten Tottenham, Man City have dropped points at Bournemouth and Arsenal hammer Hull 4-0 and all of the sudden it's a different picture. It's such a hard one to call right now."

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