Paul Merson has predicted that Liverpool will win this season’s Premier League title if they defeat Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
Arsenal currently sit in second place and can reduce Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table to five points if 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 end up restoring their eight-point cushion.
Arsenal have come agonisingly close to landing the last two Premier League trophies, only to miss out in narrow fashion to City both 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 at the Bernabeu for Manchester City [on Wednesday],’ Merson told Sportskeeda. ‘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.
‘City looked extremely slow against Real Madrid and considering how Liverpool play, the Reds will 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 allow the others to make runs.
‘Erling Haaland potentially missing out on this game is a bonus for Liverpool. But I wouldn’t be worried even if he played because they have Virgil van Dijk.
‘City’s new 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 game.
‘I felt sorry for Marmoush because he’s better off playing alongside Haaland in my opinion.
‘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. Prediction: Manchester City 1-3 Liverpool.’
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