The pundits are in full agreement, and they’re expecting Liverpool to take another big step toward the Premier League title against Manchester City today.
The Reds head to the Etihad Stadium later as they look to increase their lead at the top of the table following Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham on Saturday. Arne Slot’s side can go 11 points clear with a win over City, which could well bring the title closer to a reality.
City though is likely to provide Liverpool with one of its toughest remaining tests this season. Although Pep Guardiola faces doubts over Erling Haaland’s fitness, the defending champions still possess plenty of firepower, especially with new signing Omar Marmoush.
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Coming off the back of a damaging defeat to Real Madrid which saw them exit the Champions League early, City’s chances are being roundly dismissed by the pundits. Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, who believes the title is now in Liverpool’s hands, is expecting the Reds to take full advantage.
Predicting a 3-1 win for Liverpool, Merson told Sportskeeda: “It was an embarrassing night at the Bernabeu for Manchester City. If you were watching that game and you had no idea it was City playing, you wouldn’t think it was a champion team.
“It was unwatchable at times because they were miles off it. When they won 4-0 against Newcastle, some people thought they were back but that’s not true and they know it now.
“I think Liverpool will rip City apart here. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but that’s just what I feel. City have no chance. If Liverpool fail to win, they will be extremely disappointed.”
Merson added: “A win for Liverpool here would be the end of Arsenal’s title hopes. Once they beat City, I expect Liverpool to win against Newcastle and Southampton.
“Now that’s 13 points out of a possible 15 against arguably three of the top six teams in the league. That is champion mentality in my opinion.”
Alan Shearer is in full agreement with Merson. The former Newcastle and England striker is a little more reserved in his prediction, although he still expects Liverpool to come out on top at the Etihad.
“This is a tough game to call,” Shearer told Betfair. “I think that if John Stones is injured and also Erling Haaland then I'm not convinced City can bounce back.
“They battered Newcastle and rightly so, but I still think that they've got big issues in that team defensively, so I am going to go for an away win to Liverpool.
“I know Liverpool are giving away chances as well, they are giving teams a little bit of hope, so I do think that Man City may score. But I just think that Man City, with the way they are defensively, Liverpool will score more.”
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And in a rare turn of events, Chris Sutton is on the same page as his fellow pundits, with the former Blackburn and Chelsea star predicting the same scoreline as Merson.
“Manchester City basically waved the white flag at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night and, without Erling Haaland, lacked belief against Real Madrid from the off,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“Let's be frank, it was a shambolic performance from Pep Guardiola's side, with a real lack of intensity.”
Sutton added: “It ended up being really disappointing as a contest. Real were always favourites but when City lose, you at least expect them to go down fighting.
“Instead, it was over after less than five minutes. They never believed they could win and how many times have you said that about a Pep team?
“Liverpool had a tricky time of it against Villa in midweek but they must think they can get at this City side too.”
