Paul Merson claims one Liverpool player should not start against Ipswich because of Mohamed Salah
Paul Merson has explained why he be believes Mohamed Salah is a "better player" when Darwin Nunez is not on the pitch. The Reds are currently preparing to face Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
Nunez was the hero for Liverpool last weekend after he made a cameo appearance from the bench to score two stoppage-time goals against Brentford. The Uruguay international has six goals to his name this season but has been handed just seven starts in the Premier League this term.
Arne Slot named Nunez in the starting line-up for the Champions League win over Lille in midweek, but the striker has not started a top-flight fixture since Boxing Day. Salah continues to be a regular starter in the Liverpool team, and Merson believes the Egyptian plays better when not alongside Nunez in the team.
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“I know Darwin Nunez produced an incredible cameo off the bench against Brentford,” Merson told Sportskeeda. “But I’m still not sure he should start this game as the centre-forward.
“Mohamed Salah is a better player when Nunez is not in the team! Nunez stays up front and when he does that, it makes Salah a bit claustrophobic in my opinion."
Before he added: “When it is open play, Nunez is a good player. We saw that against Brentford at the end when it was like a basketball game with end-to-end action.
"In a game like the next one against Ipswich, where the visitors are likely to put 10 men behind the ball, I don’t think it’s wise to play Nunez.”
Merson also predicted Liverpool to claim a 3-0 win over Ipswich on Saturday afternoon. The Reds currently have a six-point lead over second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table and also have a game in hand.