Paul Merson has given his verdict on Liverpool vs Man City in the Premier League(Image: Getty Images)
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have contrasting views on the outcome of Liverpool’s upcoming match against Manchester City. The Reds are set to welcome City to Anfield this Sunday in the Premier League, as they strive for a spot in the Champions League qualification spots.
Arne Slot’s team currently sit sixth in the Premier League table and will face City on the back of a victory over Newcastle United in their last match, having netted an impressive 10 goals in their past two games.
Liverpool are now five points behind Man United in fourth place after Michael Carrick won 2-0 against Tottenham on Saturday.
The Reds are up against a City side who were held to a draw by Tottenham in their last outing and recently suffered a defeat at the hands of Man United in the Manchester derby, reports the Liverpool Echo.
City are second in the Premier League table and six points behind leaders Arsenal, who will face Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
Consequently, Merson is predicting a 3-1 triumph for Liverpool at Anfield.
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“I’d be shocked if Liverpool lost this football match! They have bounced back well after conceding that last-minute winner against Bournemouth. 10 goals in the two games since then shows they are clicking in attack,” Merson told Sportskeeda.
“Manchester City always let in goals. You check their results and if you’ve never watched them games, you would think they were flying. But the reality is that they have given away chance after chance in these games.
“Liverpool are not lackadaisical in front of goal. Manchester City, meanwhile, are all over the place at the back and could be blown away at Anfield.
“Liverpool attack is really clicking with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah. It’s like Manchester City have Rayan Cherki but Liverpool have three X-factors lined up next to each other as part of their front three.
“Newcastle were really good in the first 30 minutes against Liverpool the other day. If City can play like Newcastle did there, it could be a different story! But if the game opens up and it becomes a ‘you have a shot, we have a shot’ type of match, then Liverpool will run away with it.
“Manchester City have to win this game. Even a draw would mean the title race is over because Arsenal would still have an eight-point lead. Like I said earlier, I expect the title race to be done this weekend, so Liverpool win.”
Sutton, however, takes a different view to Merson’s prediction and believes the points will be shared in a 2-2 stalemate between Liverpool and City.
“It will be interesting to see if Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola starts with Omar Marmoush up front ahead of Erling Haaland after his two goals against Newcastle in midweek, but their attack looks strong anyway with Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo in the team,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“The same applies to Liverpool, who have got a striker in form in Hugo Ekitike, while Florian Wirtz is playing with confidence too.
“City will have moments where they will create chances, but Liverpool are going to have opportunities at the other end as well – there will be a few goals in this game.”
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