MX23RW : Sunday, September 29 14:55:44| >> :60:1581:1581:

Paul Merson questions why Liverpool have not moved for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Merson questions why Liverpool have not moved for Aubameyang
© Reuters
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson questions why Liverpool are not interested in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang given that Jurgen Klopp worked with him at Borussia Dortmund.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has suggested that Liverpool's lack of interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should act as a warning sign about the striker.

Aubameyang's long-term future at the Emirates Stadium has been the subject of growing speculation in recent weeks as the 30-year-old edges towards the final year of his contract at the club.

The likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United are among the clubs to have been linked with the Arsenal skipper, but Merson is wary of why Jurgen Klopp, who worked with Aubameyang at Borussia Dortmund, has not also joined the race.

"Everyone knows about Aubameyang's contract situation but there aren't too many clubs in England looking to fill that position. I'm sure Manchester City will probably put all their eggs into Gabriel Jesus when Sergio Aguero eventually goes, so I don't think they will have much interest," Merson told Sky Sports News.

"I think if you were Liverpool you would have a look and Jurgen Klopp knows him very well from their time together at Borussia Dortmund, but it does worry me that Klopp hasn't gone in for him. He would surely know him better than anyone.

"I always look at Arsenal's move for Shkodran Mustafi for around £35m. If Mustafi was that good, a £35m player, Gary Neville, who was at Valencia with him, would have been on the phone to Manchester United saying: 'You won't believe the centre half here. He's so good you've got to buy him.' But he didn't do that, and Arsenal had a free run.

"That's the only thing that worries me regarding Aubameyang and Klopp, because Liverpool do need a forward. Let's be honest, they haven't got a natural striker. Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino work really well together as a three, but you do need someone who can bang in 25 goals without a fuss.

"Firmino is a top player but he can go long periods of time without scoring. You still need someone who is a safety net in terms of goals and that's what Aubameyang can provide. Liverpool also need to continue to improve. Winning trophies is hard, but coming back and winning them again is even harder.

"There's a company out there that sells more burgers, more chips and more fast food than anyone in the world, but they still do adverts. That tells me you have to keep working to stay on top. When you win something, you've got to go and improve again.

"Some teams go and keep the faith in the squad that won and go from there, but you have to keep improving if you want to stay on top. The burger company don't do adverts to sell stuff, they do it to stay on top. Liverpool will have to do the same and that may mean freshening up the squad."

Aubameyang once again leads the way in Arsenal's goalscoring stakes this season with 20 in 32 appearances, while he has 61 in 97 outings for the club overall.

ID:394150: cacheID:394150:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4716:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their second goal on March 7, 2020
Read Next:
Sissoko expects Sadio Mane to join Real Madrid
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Rams
@
Bears
6pm
Eagles
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Steelers
@
Colts
6pm
Saints
@
Falcons
6pm
Broncos
@
Jets
6pm
Vikings
@
Packers
6pm
Bengals
@
Panthers
6pm
Jags
@
Texans
9.05pm
Patriots
@
49ers
9.05pm
Washington
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Browns
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool65011221015
2Manchester CityMan City6420146814
3Arsenal6420125714
4Chelsea6411157813
5Aston Villa5401107312
6Fulham632185311
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle632187111
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton623110829
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest62316519
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs52129547
11Manchester UnitedMan Utd52125507
12Brentford6213810-27
13Bournemouth512258-35
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham6123610-45
15Everton6114715-84
16Leicester CityLeicester6033812-43
17Crystal Palace603359-43
18Ipswich TownIpswich503238-53
19Southampton501429-71
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves6015616-101


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!