Liverpool hosts Manchester City at Anfield today, with the Reds searching for a victory that will keep them on the tails of Manchester United and Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification
09:55, 08 Feb 2026
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer has given his prediction for Liverpool vs Manchester City(Image: The Rest Is Football)
Alan Shearer and Paul Merson have differing views over how Liverpool's game against Manchester City will pan out today.
The Reds welcome Pep Guardiola's team to Anfield off the back of back-to-back wins against Qarabag and Newcastle, and Arne Slot will know the importance of racking up another victory – especially after Saturday's results.
Liverpool's most obvious rivals for Champions League qualification – Manchester United and Chelsea – both recorded victories earlier in the weekend to move five and four points clear of the Reds in the table respectively.
The Reds have an excellent record in home games against Manchester City, and former Arsenal star Merson is backing Liverpool to register a 3-1 victory.
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"I'd be shocked if Liverpool lost this football match!" Merson said in his predictions for Sportskeeda. "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.
"Manchester City always let in goals. You check their results and if you've never watched those 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.
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"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."
Shearer, meanwhile, does not think it will be an easy win for Liverpool, with the former Newcastle striker tipping the game to end as a draw.
"It could be a cracking game because both teams have been really poor defensively," Shearer said. "They both have great players in forward positions, so I think I'll go for a score draw.