Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp has tipped Arsenal star Declan Rice to shine against Liverpool. The two teams will face off in the Premier League on Thursday, January 8.
Mikel Arteta's side will look to consolidate on their six-point lead at the summit when they clash with the reigning champions, and Redknapp believes the Gunners will have the better of their opponents at the Emirates.
Speaking on BetVictor (via Metro), the former manager cast doubts about the Reds' ability to upset Arsenal. Highlighting the Gunners' form and impressive home record, Redknapp predicted a 3-1 win for Arteta's team.
He said:
"This is the big one. Arsenal had a tricky period, but they look right back to their best and have extended their lead at the top. I think they’ll take some stopping this season, they just don’t look like dropping points, particularly at home.
"More dropped points for Liverpool and I don’t really think they deserved much more than a point at Fulham. They just seem to lack a dynamism in attack, which is surprising to me given how much quality they have," Redknapp continued.
"This feels like a big game for their season. Could they spark into life and blow the title race wide open? I’m not sure. We’ve seen better teams than Liverpool go to Arsenal this season and really struggle. I think Arsenal win 3-1," he added.
Speaking further, the 78-year-old lauded Rice's form and tipped the Englishman to dominate the midfield against the Reds.
"Declan Rice has been in such great form yet again for his club and he was the difference at the weekend against Bournemouth. In these big games I always think that midfield battle is so important, and I think he could dominate it," he concluded.
Paul Merson's prediction for Arsenal vs Liverpool
Pundit Paul Merson has backed Arsenal to defeat Liverpool on Thursday by a 3-1 scoreline. He believes that the Gunners have a solid team and doesn't envisage the Reds pulling an upset at the Emirates.
"It's weird but I'd be more shocked if Liverpool won at Arsenal than Wolves or Leeds winning their games away from home this gameweek. Arsenal's B team can cause 99 per cent of the sides in this league a problem. That's how good they are as a squad," he said.
Arsenal, top of the league table, are on a five-match winning streak coming into Thursday's clash. The Reds, meanwhile, are 14 points behind the Gunners. They are undefeated in their last five league outings, but have drawn their previous two matches.