Plenty of big name pundits have been having their say on Liverpool's huge clash with Manchester City at Anfield this Sunday
Paul Merson has made his call for the big clash
Paul Merson has made his call for the big clash
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Given both sides’ occasionally ‘lackadaisical’ defending and Liverpool’s recent form in front of goal, the popular prediction ahead of Manchester City’s visit to Anfield is that the 200th meeting between the teams will be a goal fest.
Wanting to get the Arsenal victory parade going early, ex-Gunners star Paul Merson has opted for a 3-1 Liverpool win. Merson remarked: “Manchester City are all over the place at the back and could be blown away at Anfield.”
The former England international also highlighted Liverpool’s attacking threat. The Reds have bagged ten goals in their last two home games against Newcastle and Qarabag.
He said: “Liverpool’s attack is really clicking with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah. Liverpool have three X-factors lined up next to each other as parts of their front three.”
Ekitike and Wirtz have combined for six goals this season, which is more than any other Premier League duo, according to Opta. Five of these have come since December.
Merson added: “Manchester City have to win this game. Even a draw would mean the title race is over.”
Second placed City sat six points behind league leaders Arsenal going into the weekend. Whereas sixth placed Liverpool, fresh off a 4-1 win over Newcastle, could challenge for fourth with victory in a congested mid-table battle.
Merson only gives the visitors a chance if they replicate Newcastle’s start against Liverpool last weekend when Anthony Gordon gave them a 1-0 advantage shortly after the half-hour mark.
Making his predictions to sportskeeda, Merson said: “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.”
Alan Shearer on the other hand has opted for a draw in his Betfair column, despite only picking three City players in his combined XI from both sides in Marc Guehi, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland, though captain Silva is a serious doubt having missed City’s midweek win over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
Shearer said: “They both have great players in forward positions, so I think 'll go for a score draw. It could be a cracking game because both teams have been really poor defensively.”
The BBC’s Chris Sutton also expects to see goals in a 2-2 draw, but wonders if Pep Guardiola might prefer Omar Marmoush over Haaland following his midweek brace against Newcastle.
Peter Crouch plumped for a draw, too. Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, the former Liverpool striker said: “This is always a tough one, isn’t it? I’d like to go for 2-2. I can just see it.’ Crouch named checked Liverpool’s front three, tipping in form Hugo Ekitike to bag the first goal.
Ekitike’s second against Newcastle garnered praise from pundits - particularly comparison to one of Liverpool’s former number nines.
Crouch said: “Do you know what Ekitike’s second goal reminded me of? It reminded me of peak Fernando Torres at Anfield, where he slows people down and then bursts.”
Jamie Carragher was also enthused by the display. On Monday Night Football, the retired defender said: "It is exciting because you are looking to the future of what the team can be like.”
“For the manager, last week we spoke about hope - it gives you hope seeing the new signings playing as they are.”