Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are both backing Liverpool to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since September when it takes on Sunderland later.
The Reds are back at Anfield after their much-needed win over West Ham at the weekend, although the pressure remains on Arne Slot to deliver another victory and prove his side is getting over what has been an awful couple of months.
With much of the focus on Mohamed Salah after he was dropped to the bench against the Hammers, Slot will have more big decisions to make as his side look to return to winning ways at home, following dismal defeats to Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven.
And while there are still plenty of question marks hanging over Liverpool at the moment, former Arsenal midfielder Merson is expecting another victory today, and has even gone as far as to predict the Reds’ final place in the Premier League table at the end of the season.
Predicting a 2-1 win for the hosts, Merson told Sportskeeda: “Sunderland produced an incredible performance against a really good Bournemouth team last weekend. But I'm going to back Liverpool for the win here simply because they are Liverpool.
“Alexander Isak will be relieved after scoring his first goal during the win over West Ham last time out. Even though I think Liverpool will win, they won't have it easy. It will be a tough game.”
Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring a goal for Liverpool
Alexander Isak scored his first league goal for Liverpool in the win over West Ham (Image: Izzy Poles - AMA/Getty Images)
Merson added: “There is no way Liverpool are finishing outside the top four this season. I expect them to win this game and secure three more points.”
Former Chelsea and Blackburn forward Sutton predicted the exact same scoreline for BBC Sport, although he certainly wasn’t anywhere near as convinced as Merson in his outlook.
“We are at the stage where I am thinking should I do Black Cats fans a favour by tipping them to lose again here, because we know what happens when I do that - they win,” Sutton said.
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“I actually think they will give a good account of themselves at Anfield and it would not surprise me at all to see them going there and winning - I really mean that, too, because we've all seen how capable Regis le Bris' side are.
“I am still going to go with Liverpool though. I don't think they can be as bad as they were in their last two home games, against Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven.”
Despite their dismal form over the last couple of months, a win for Liverpool could move it level on points with Chelsea and Aston Villa, with both of those sides currently occupying third and fourth ahead of kick-off.