Liverpool will face Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend and have been sent two predictions ahead of the game
Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool
Liverpool have scored 10 goals across their last two matches(Image: Kate McShane/Getty Images)
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Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have different opinions on how Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City will pan out. The Reds will host City at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday as they continue their quest for Champions League qualification.
Arne Slot’s side are in sixth place in the Premier League table and go into the game against City having beaten Newcastle United in their previous fixture, and have scored 10 goals across their last two matches.
Liverpool find themselves two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United in the table, and that gap could be extended by the time kick-off arrives, with their rivals facing Tottenham Hotspur in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
The Reds take on a City team that were held to a draw with Tottenham in their previous fixture and were recently beaten by Man United in the Manchester derby.
As a result, Merson believes that Liverpool will claim a 3-1 victory 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, disagrees with Merson’s prediction and believes the points will be shared in a 2-2 draw 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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