Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson says the arrival of Alexander Isak swings things back in favour of Liverpool for the Premier League title.

Combined with the Reds’ win against Arsenal at the weekend, Merson said it was enough to change his mind about backing the Gunners to finish top of the table this season:

“After you got [Isak]. See, I always weigh it up with the league [after some time]. I thought ‘advantage Arsenal’ when they went and won at Man United, then all of a sudden they [Liverpool] go and beat Newcastle and they beat Arsenal.”

“For me, they haven’t even gotten out of second gear yet and they haven’t played particularly well yet. Watching yesterday’s game, I watched yesterday and I’m like, I’ve never seen an Arsenal team so comfortable at Anfield – so comfortable and they still lost.”

“What they are doing as well, as Christian [Purslow] said, they’re buying players to come into the team and these are top players.”

Not everything went Liverpool’s way on Deadline Day

While the Reds did manage to secure the signature of Isak for a British record £125m on Monday evening, they failed to get a deal over the line for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

A disagreement between Eagles chairman Steve Parish and head coach Oliver Glasner led to the 25-year-old’s £35m move to Anfield collapsing.

Considering the club’s poor defensive record at the start of this season and Ibrahima Konate’s injury against Arsenal, the failure to land Guehi this summer could still prove significant in the title race.

Who are the bookies’ favourites for the Premier League title?

Arne Slot’s side’s win on Sunday evening has shortened the club’s odds to retain their crown. They are now priced between 6/5 and 13/10.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have slipped to between 7/4 and 15/8, while Manchester City’s shock defeat to Brighton has seen their odds lengthen to 7/1 at most bookmakers.

Read more about the Liverpool First Team Squad for 2025/26 here