Paul Merson doesn’t have high expectations for Manchester United on their trip to Anfield this Sunday.
The opinion is certainly shared by most football fans – United’s included. It’s hard to head into the clash with much hope given last season’s complete annihilation from Liverpool; they netted a jaw-dropping seven goals with no response from Erik ten Hag’s men.
Now, the two sides’ form is vastly different; Liverpool sit atop the Premier League table while United are sixth-placed, having sustained seven losses already. There is a 10-point gap between the two rivals, which the Reds could, of course, close to seven with a win.
Ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp are navigating their own respective injury woes to several key players, though the German has been able to rest marquee quartet Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s dead-rubber Europa League tie tonight.
Merson’s prediction
Speaking to Sportskeeda ahead of matchweek 17, Merson said: “People keep saying this is a big game, but is that really the case? I think this is my easiest call of the weekend – I expect Liverpool to win quite comfortably.
“Bruno Fernandes is suspended and the likes of Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire were substituted due to injuries against Bayern Munich, so it doesn’t look good for them.
“Let me say it like this – I’d be more shocked if Manchester United got a draw at Anfield than if Crystal Palace got a result against Manchester City. That’s how confident I am that Liverpool are winning this, as Erik ten Hag’s side are absolutely all over the place.
“They got a free swing against Bayern Munich but went out with a whip. Before that, they were absolutely slaughtered at home by Bournemouth and even if you look at the games they won, they just faltered over the line. I expect Liverpool to rip them to shreds, so I’m going for a 3-0 home win.”
