Sky Sports

In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson looks ahead to Saturday's "huge" game between Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Both teams are winless in the Premier League, with Spurs looking for their first league goal of the season.

Read below for the Magic Man's thoughts on the "momentum swinger" game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as he also assesses Arsenal's chances of defending their Premier League title.

Transfer Centre LIVE!

Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺

Mindset and confidence are Spurs' key problems

"The first 15, 20 minutes I thought they [Spurs] were outstanding [vs Everton].

"I thought the way they passed it, moved it, it caused problems for Everton. But they didn't get that goal. And when they don't get that goal, then that mindset sets in again.

"I think they'd still be playing now [without scoring], wouldn't they? That is the problem. They need to score early. And confidence is the thing as well.

"I say any footballer, I don't care if you're under-10s or professional, if you can bottle one thing, it's confidence.

"And at the moment, they just haven't got that confidence and the belief. And that's the problem, that belief."

Are Villa genuine relegation contenders?

"No. I think they [Villa] have too many good players, if I'm being honest. I think it was a terrible result against Nottingham Forest. It was worrying.

"They were dominating but couldn't score a goal. But I'd be shocked if they got relegated.

"They've got too many good players, and they've got one of the best managers in the business. They're just having a little bit of a time at the moment.

"I do think this is a big game this weekend [vs Tottenham], though. It's a huge game. Down at the bottom, if you're down there, you're down there.

"I don't worry about Tottenham or Villa, but I think it's a big game for both teams because it's a momentum swinger.

"You win it, then you can kick on after the international break. It's a big football match."

Arsenal will defend title comfortably

"I think they [Arsenal] will win the Premier League by double digits. I think they'll win it easy.

"I look at Arsenal's fixtures: Man City away, Man Utd away, Chelsea away, Liverpool away. After those four games, I don't know who's beating Arsenal.

"They're just a hard, hard team to beat. I don't see them losing a lot of football matches this season.

"The shackles are off a bit. No one can call Arsenal bottle jobs any more. So the pressure is off.

"And they just play with that feeling like they've had an email through and told them, 'you know what the score is going to be already'.

"I just watched them against Villa, and you watch them against Sunderland, and there's no panic.

"They play; it's patient. They will score in the end and the opposition won't. That is the way they are at the moment."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sorry, this blog is currently unavailable. Please try again later.

Back to Home

This content is provided by , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow cookies for this session only.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning strike sealed a 3-1 win for Liverpool over Tottenham in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo put the Reds in control before the hour but Conor Gallagher pulled one back for Roberto De Zerbi's team and it took a sensational fingertip save from Giorgi Mamardashvili to deny Omar Marmoush an equaliser.

There was no stopping Szoboszlai's stoppage-time effort, however, arrowed beyond Martin Dubravka. Andoni Iraola's Liverpool progress while the Spurs supporters have to be content with bagging their first goal of the campaign against top-flight opposition.

Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream Premier League games with no contract📺

Key moments at Anfield

Lucas Bergvall really should have slotted Spurs in front early in the game but his close-range shot found the legs of Mamardashvili instead. And Liverpool punished them for that wastefulness when Mac Allister curled the ball high into the net for the opener.

Mohammed Kudus contrived to volley high and wide after smart work by Destiny Udogie before half-time. Liverpool were just more clinical, summed up by the manner in which Gakpo slammed in a second in front of the Kop to cap an excellent Liverpool move.

The Dutchman was a target for Tottenham in the summer. He currently has more Premier League goals this season than they do. Out of the Carabao Cup and with Richarlison out of the squad, De Zerbi's only consolation was a spirited effort at Anfield.

For Andoni Iraola, he will be encouraged by the energy and the quality in evidence. Intensity appeared to be an issue against Fulham on Saturday but the 10 changes actually helped with Lewis Koumas eager and Trey Nyoni producing a mature display in midfield.

And when Szoboszlai can do that, it makes everything easier.

Iraola: Szoboszlai goal a 'worldie'

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola speaking in the press conference:

"Three goals we scored were very good goals; the origin of the goals for the first and second ones was also very important for us. The third one is a worldie. With other players you are thinking it is too far. With Dom you are thinking he might score."

Player of the match: Lewis Koumas

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola speaking about Lewis Koumas in the press conference:

"I said in the week and say it for a reason; I see it in training every day. The energy that he shows is contagious for the rest. When they see the ones up front doing it, they are forced to go from behind."

Analysis: Positives for both teams

Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp on Liverpool:

"That's the best I've seen them. Obviously, Tottenham played into their hands as they're trying to play out from the back. But the number of times they (Liverpool) won it back because they were so quick and aggressive to get after them. That's what Andoni did at Bournemouth and that's what he's trying to do at Liverpool. It will take time, but they'll certainly get it."

Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp on Tottenham:

"From Tottenham's point of view, there were positives. They had a sharpness to their game. Bergvall did well. There's lots to look forward to for the weekend. It was a better performance. On another day, they could have had two or three goals. Liverpool just had enough."

De Zerbi: We need things to click

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi speaking to Sky Sports:

"We created chances to win the game. It's not a very good moment, but I believe in my players, and I told them five minutes ago to stay calm.

"We need a click. I don't know if we are able to make this click Saturday, but playing like this and believing in ourselves and our style of play, I think we'll win many games and score many goals because the qualities of my players is very high.

"There are many, many positives. We are sorry, disappointed and frustrated for the results. I think we didn't deserve to lose, but it's the first season. We are building totally different things with me.

"I believe in my players, this project. I have no doubts. I believe in this club, but now we are not so lucky. It's not good to say too many 'ifs' but we played very well this evening."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player