Paul Merson believes that one workforce ‘could possibly be blown away’ when Liverpool welcome Manchester Metropolis to Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds will likely be looking for to precise revenge for the 3-0 thrashing which was handed out to them on the Etihad Stadium within the reverse fixture three months in the past, and resounding wins over Qarabag and Newcastle of their final two video games have given Arne Slot’s aspect some optimistic momentum.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect additionally loved a morale-boosting win over the Magpies in latest days as they secured their place within the Carabao Cup ultimate in midweek, though they may discover themselves 9 factors adrift of leaders Arsenal by the point tomorrow’s match in L4 kicks off.
Merson explains Liverpool v Man Metropolis prediction
In his newest Premier League predictions column for Sportskeeda, Merson defined why he’s backing Liverpool to avenge their November defeat in Manchester.
He wrote: ‘I’d be shocked if Liverpool misplaced this soccer match! They’ve bounced again effectively after conceding that last-minute winner towards Bournemouth – 10 objectives within the two video games since then exhibits they’re clicking in assault.
‘Manchester Metropolis all the time let in objectives. You verify their outcomes and in the event you’ve by no means watched them, you’d assume they have been flying, however the actuality is that they’ve given away probability after probability in these video games.
‘Liverpool are usually not lackadaisical in entrance of objective. Manchester Metropolis, in the meantime, are in every single place on the again and could possibly be blown away at Anfield.
‘Liverpool assault is absolutely clicking with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah. It’s like Manchester Metropolis have Rayan Cherki however Liverpool have three X-factors lined up subsequent to one another as a part of their entrance three.’
In forecasting a 3-1 residence win, Merson concluded: ‘If the sport opens up and it turns into a ‘you’ve got a shot, we’ve got a shot’ sort of match, then Liverpool will run away with it.
‘Manchester Metropolis need to win this sport. Even a draw would imply the title race is over as a result of Arsenal would nonetheless have an eight-point lead…I count on the title race to be performed this weekend, so Liverpool win.’
Liverpool v Man Metropolis could possibly be a high-scoring thriller
Merson’s agency confidence in Liverpool to emerge victorious is in stark distinction to Peter Crouch and Chris Sutton each predicting a 2-2 draw, and that in itself signifies how tough it’s to precisely forecast how the match will go.
Whereas the more and more efficient chemistry between Wirtz and Ekitike particularly has made the Reds stronger in assault, outcomes such because the defeat at Bournemouth a fortnight in the past illustrate that there’s nonetheless a vulnerability {that a} workforce like Man Metropolis may exploit to the complete.
Nevertheless, Guardiola’s aspect have additionally had query marks over them in latest weeks, as we noticed final weekend once they let slip a 2-0 lead towards a brittle Tottenham Hotspur aspect to finish up drawing 2-2, whereas their efficiency within the derby defeat to Man United final month was insipid, to place it politely.
Contemplating the world-class attacking high quality on each side, and the harm issues which have plagued each defensively, this sport has the potential to be a high-scoring thriller.
It’s a fiendishly powerful one to name, however with the weaponry Liverpool have up entrance and amid what’s certain to be a raucous ambiance underneath the Anfield lights, hopefully the Reds can edge it and land a giant scalp of their makes an attempt to in the end safe Champions League qualification.
You’ll be able to watch Slot’s full pre-Manchester Metropolis press convention beneath, through Empire of the Kop on YouTube:
