Johnson hits back at Merson

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has launched an outspoken attack on Paul Merson after the former Arsenal midfielder criticised his attitude this season.

Merson, a pundit on Sky Sports’ 'Soccer Saturday' programme, was discussing the departure of Reds manager Roy Hodgson when he called Johnson’s performances into question.

The England right-back, who trained with the rest of the squad at Melwood this morning ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup third round tie which will see the return of Kenny Dalglish as temporary boss, was watching the programme.

He chose to respond via his Twitter page.

“Comments from alcoholic drug abusers are not really gonna upset me and who is Paul Merson to judge players, he was average at the best of times,” Johnson wrote.

“The only reason he’s on that show is coz he gambled all his money away. The clown!”

A number of people complained that Johnson had brought up Merson’s former drug problems and the comments were soon deleted.