Will the top of the Premier League positions change following Sunday afternoon’s Anfield clash between Liverpool and Manchester City? Paul Merson, Mark Lawrenson and guest pundit Radio 1 DJ Chris Stark give us their predictions.
The last time City beat Liverpool on their turf was way back in May 2003.
Anelka and Benarbia ????
What are your memories from this day? #mcfc pic.twitter.com/2hVFMRcjft
— Manchester City News (@ManCityMEN) October 4, 2018
Paul Merson
“I’m slightly favouring Manchester City. For me, it looks like hard work for Liverpool at the moment.
“Last week they had a great game against Chelsea, but I think it took its toll on Jurgen Klopp’s team. Their pressing from the front looks like hard work whereas last year it looked natural. I think they are going to fall asleep a couple of times during the game for City to punish them.
“The pressure will be on City though. If Liverpool can pick up a win, they’ll be serious contenders for the title. However, a win for City and I think they’ll run away with it again. The big difference is that certain Liverpool players have to play all the time and that will take its toll.
“If Raheem Sterling, who has been great for City, doesn’t play in a certain game he wouldn’t really be missed but Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Virgil van Dijk, the full-backs and James Milner they have to play all the time otherwise the team gets severely weakened. Someone like Daniel Sturridge has come in and done well but can he do that for ten games on the trot?
“That’s the reason why I think City will have the edge. It’s at Anfield, and the Liverpool fans are as good as anybody else’s fans, but I just think the last couple of games will have taken something out of Liverpool.”
Paul predicts a 1-2 away win.
Mark Lawrenson
“It is in danger of getting a little bit over-hyped, I’m afraid.
“If this is billed as the battle of the champions and all that – in mid-October – then I will smash my telly. There is still such an awfully long way to go.
“Yes, I am looking forward to it, yes they are the best two teams in the league and yes it should be a fantastic game of football, but it is not going to decide the title.”
Lawro predicts a 1-1 draw.
DJ Chris Stark thinks Liverpool will win, 2-1.
Opinion
The Sky Sports football pundit’s prediction is, in my opinion, fair, balanced and right on the money while Lawrenson, as one would imagine is looking through his Liverpool rose-tinted glasses.
I am, to say the least, ‘bricking it.’ If the scousers play similar to the way they did against us in their home Champions League quarter-final first leg tie earlier in the year I can only envisage the same result.
I’ll be amazed if, after 90 minutes and no one has scored hence I’m going to predict a 2-2 draw.