Arsenal legend Paul Merson has suggested that Liverpool's lack of interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should act as a warning sign about the striker.

Aubameyang's long-term future at the Emirates Stadium has been the subject of growing speculation in recent weeks as the 30-year-old edges towards the final year of his contract at the club.

The likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United are among the clubs to have been linked with the Arsenal skipper, but Merson is wary of why Jurgen Klopp, who worked with Aubameyang at Borussia Dortmund, has not also joined the race.

"Everyone knows about Aubameyang's contract situation but there aren't too many clubs in England looking to fill that position. I'm sure Manchester City will probably put all their eggs into Gabriel Jesus when Sergio Aguero eventually goes, so I don't think they will have much interest," Merson told Sky Sports News.

"I think if you were Liverpool you would have a look and Jurgen Klopp knows him very well from their time together at Borussia Dortmund, but it does worry me that Klopp hasn't gone in for him. He would surely know him better than anyone.

"I always look at Arsenal's move for Shkodran Mustafi for around £35m. If Mustafi was that good, a £35m player, Gary Neville, who was at Valencia with him, would have been on the phone to Manchester United saying: 'You won't believe the centre half here. He's so good you've got to buy him.' But he didn't do that, and Arsenal had a free run.

"That's the only thing that worries me regarding Aubameyang and Klopp, because Liverpool do need a forward. Let's be honest, they haven't got a natural striker. Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino work really well together as a three, but you do need someone who can bang in 25 goals without a fuss.

"Firmino is a top player but he can go long periods of time without scoring. You still need someone who is a safety net in terms of goals and that's what Aubameyang can provide. Liverpool also need to continue to improve. Winning trophies is hard, but coming back and winning them again is even harder.

"There's a company out there that sells more burgers, more chips and more fast food than anyone in the world, but they still do adverts. That tells me you have to keep working to stay on top. When you win something, you've got to go and improve again.

"Some teams go and keep the faith in the squad that won and go from there, but you have to keep improving if you want to stay on top. The burger company don't do adverts to sell stuff, they do it to stay on top. Liverpool will have to do the same and that may mean freshening up the squad."

Aubameyang once again leads the way in Arsenal's goalscoring stakes this season with 20 in 32 appearances, while he has 61 in 97 outings for the club overall.