Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Brighton are genuine contenders for the Premier League title, but they need to meet one crucial requirement.
Currently managed by Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton find themselves in third place, having won five out of their first seven matches—including an impressive 3-0 victory over reigning champions Arsenal.
Merson is firm in his belief that the upcoming fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City will be pivotal.
If they go and win the next two matches, I couldn't care less how long the season's been running; they’re 1000 percent title contenders. It will completely change the dynamics of the competition.
Liverpool aren't exactly firing on all cylinders at the moment. They’re not exactly breathtaking right now. But if they were to lose to Brighton, that would be huge news. You could argue that Brighton are currently a better team than Liverpool, but it’s about the mentality of a big club. The pressure is completely different. If Brighton go and lose to these two teams, no one's going to bat an eyelid.
I love what Brighton are doing. I think they’re fantastic. I watched their game against Arsenal. They press, they play at a high tempo, and they suffocate you. They've got plenty of big matches coming up, but they’re excellent tests. If I were Manchester City or Liverpool, I certainly wouldn’t relish playing against Brighton.
