“Don’t get me wrong” - Paul Merson explains why Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been better than Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah this season

Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson has explained why Chelsea's Cole Palmer has outshone Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah this season. Both players have had impressive campaigns.

Palmer, 22, has contributed 12 goals and six assists in 21 outings across competitions for the Blues. All his goal contributions have come in the Premier League, where Enzo Maresca's side are fourth, trailing leaders Liverpool (45) by 10 points, having played a game more.

Meanwhile, Salah, 32, is in the midst of another solid campaign, registering 20 goals and 17 assists in 26 games across competitions. Most of those goal contributions - 17 goals and 13 assists in 18 games - have come in the league, where Arne Slot's side are chasing their first title in five years.

However, explaining why Palmer has had a greaater impact for side than Salah for the Reds, Merson told Sky Sports (via Rousing the Kop):

“I still go Palmer. I think he’s had a massive, massive difference to Chelsea. I think he’s made them a much better team. He’s been involved a lot more. Salah’s playing in an unbelievable team with unbelievable players. And believe it or not I think he’s more consistent than Salah in a game of 90 minutes, I think he’s involved more.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love Salah. He’s different class, one of the best in the world. But sometimes you watch Salah, and he’ll do something, and you’ll go ‘really?!’, or he’ll put one over the bar, and you’ll go ‘really?!’.”

He concluded:

“Salah cannot touch the ball and score two goals in two minutes, but Palmer’s carried Chelsea, he’s been a catalyst. I don’t think Salah’s been a catalyst. I think he’s in a very, very good team.

“This lad has taken Chelsea to the brink of getting into the Champions League and they were in a title race up until two weeks ago.”

Palmer is coming off a 27-goal, 15-assist debut season for the Blues since arriving from Manchester City in the summer of 2023.

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What's next for Liverpool and Chelsea?

Liverpool boss Arne Slot

Liverpool are in the midst of a hugely impressive campaign, having lost just once in 27 games across competitions. They are atop the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

Following a 5-0 league win at West Ham United at the weekend, Slot's side return to action at home on Sunday (January 5) against struggling arch-rivals Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Chelsea - following a 2-0 loss at newly promoted Ipswich Town - will look to return to winning ways when they visit Crystal Palace in the league on Saturday (January 4).