Paul Merson has predicted that Liverpool will win this season’s Premier League title in the event that they defeat Manchester City on the Etihad on Sunday.
Arsenal currently sit in second place and may reduce Liverpool’s lead at the highest of the table to 5 points in the event that they beat West Ham on Saturday.
But former Arsenal star Merson, who now works as a football pundit, feels it won’t matter if Liverpool find yourself restoring their eight-point cushion.
Arsenal have come agonisingly near landing the last two Premier League trophies, only to miss out in narrow fashion to City each times.
The Gunners haven’t been champions of England since 2004 – and if Merson’s match prediction for the City vs Liverpool showdown comes true – their wait will go on even longer.
‘It was an embarrassing night on the Bernabeu for Manchester City [on Wednesday],’ Merson told Sportskeeda. ‘In case you were watching that game and also 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. Once they won 4-0 against Newcastle, some people thought they were back but that’s not true they usually understand it now.
‘I feel Liverpool will rip City apart here. I can’t imagine I’m saying this, but that’s just what I feel. City haven’t any probability. If Liverpool fail to win, they can be extremely disillusioned.
‘City looked extremely slow against Real Madrid and considering how Liverpool play, the Reds can be too quick for Pep Guardiola’s men.
‘Liverpool should start Diogo Jota, with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah either side of him. Jota can drop into midfield and permit the others to make runs.
‘Erling Haaland potentially missing out on this game is a bonus for Liverpool. But I wouldn’t be frightened even when he played because they’ve Virgil van Dijk.
‘City’s latest signing Nico Gonzalez looked slow and laboured in that loss against Real Madrid, while Omar Marmoush never touched the ball for major parts of the sport.
‘I felt sorry for Marmoush because he’s higher off playing alongside Haaland for my part.
‘A win for Liverpool here could be the top 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 highest six teams within the league. That’s champion mentality for my part. Prediction: Manchester City 1-3 Liverpool.’
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