Paul Merson thinks Chelsea made 'bad decision' as Liverpool prediction made

Chelsea have been criticised for their summer transfer decision-making as they prepare to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday. The Blues started the season well but they have struggled for form of late, at least aside from a narrow Champions League win over Benfica during the week.

Enzo Maresca’s men are now three games without a win in the Premier League, and they have lost each of their last two in the league, losing to Brighton and Manchester United. Injuries haven’t helped, but Chelsea need to turn things around as they look to mount at least another Champions League qualification run this season.

Chelsea’s transfer business has regularly been criticised, with a big turnover at Stamford Bridge over recent years. This summer was no different, even if Chelsea did balance their spending in much more respectable fashion.

But Paul Merson has taken aim at the Blues over their decision to allow Nicolas Jackson to join Bayern Munich, while he has also criticised the fact Chelsea still haven’t got a settled starting XI. He told SportsKeeda in his weekly predictions column: “If Liverpool fail to win at Chelsea and Arsenal beat West Ham, which I think they will, the Gunners will be top of the league. Before last weekend's games, we were thinking of a possibility in which Arsenal would be eight points behind Liverpool. This is how quickly things can change in the Premier League! I'm a Chelsea fan but I must admit they don't wet my appetite. They looked good for the first 20 minutes against Brighton and eventually crumbled. This is the problem with Chelsea, they only play well in patches.

“I told you Nicolas Jackson would be a huge miss. It was a bad decision to sell him. Chelsea have no player up front who can do what Jackson did for them. People will read this and be like, 'what are you saying? He wasn't even good.' But it's not about how many chances he missed, it's about what he did for the team. I know Cole Palmer is injured, but Jackson made him a better player!

“I expect Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto to start this game for Chelsea, but does Enzo Maresca trust Alejandro Garnacho against Liverpool? Jamie Gittens is behind the eight-ball at Chelsea, he's really struggling and I don't expect him to play here. Estevao looks like the best option and don't get me wrong, he's a good player. But Chelsea have spent a billion pounds and we are still second guessing on who would play for them, unbelievable.

“I've been saying that Liverpool should play Florian Wirtz down the left side but I didn't expect them to do that against Crystal Palace. I was surprised because Palace have strong wing-backs and they are quite phenomenal. But against Chelsea, it could be a good option since the Blues' defence isn't very solid.

“I still think Slot will go with Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Mo Salah as the front-three though. Chelsea have a strong midfield with Moises Caicedo in there, so Liverpool must play Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai through the middle. I also expect Milos Kerkez to retain his place at left-back even though Andy Robertson is the better defender out of the two. I just think Robertson isn't a good fit for this game since he could be up against Neto. Conor Bradley should also be an automatic selection at right-back for Liverpool.

“Liverpool are playing badly, but I just don't see them losing this game. I'd be shocked if Chelsea won too, but the hosts could get a point here in my opinion. Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool.”

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