Paul Merson believes Leeds United are due a thrashing

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Leeds United have certainly started their long-awaited stint back in the Premier League with some style. 

The Whites suffered an entertaining but acceptable 4-3 defeat to reigning champions Liverpool at Anfield. Marcelo Bielsa’s men then picked up their first three points of the new season by defeating Fulham by the same scoreline at Elland Road. 

That was less impressive, especially as at one point, they looked to be running away with a comfortable 4-1 win. 

For one Sky Sports pundit and former Premier League star, it is a sign of trouble ahead.

“I’m not convinced by Leeds,” Paul Merson wrote in the Daily Star. “They could easily have lost to Fulham and a really good team are going to beat them heavily soon.

“Leeds got lots of praise for the way they played at Anfield but I thought Liverpool just turned up expecting to win and didn’t take them seriously enough.

“They won’t finish where everyone seems to think they will – but they will finish above West Brom.”

Merson’s concerns are justified. Robin Koch has struggled to adapt quickly to the Premier League whilst Illan Meslier is also playing at a higher level than ever before. 

Leeds also leave themselves exposed with their attacking style from full-back. 

That said, the suggestion that only West Brom will be below Leeds at the end of the season seems harsh. 

Leeds have addressed some defensive concerns with the arrival of Diego Llorente from Real Sociedad this week and the fact they have scored seven goals in two games deserves credit. 

Sure, Leeds might end up taking a pumping from the likes of Manchester City or Chelsea at some point this season. 

But Leeds fans are going to be enjoying it all the way and any team with this level of attacking ability is unlikely to finish in the bottom three.