Paul Merson backs Liverpool to win against Manchester City

Pundit Paul Merson says he would be ‘shocked’ if Liverpool did not defeat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.

The Reds are top of the Premier League table and are currently seven points clear of the Citizens.

Victory for Liverpool would put some serious daylight between the two sides and give Jurgen Klopp’s side a massive psychological boost for the remainder of the season.

Many Liverpool fans are entering this fixture with caution, but Merson believes Liverpool should be the more confident of the two sides going into the game.

Merson told Sky Sports: “This might sound silly, but I’d be shocked if Manchester City won this game. I’d be shocked. I just can’t see how they can stop Liverpool from scoring goals. As the game goes on, I just don’t see how Liverpool don’t go on to win it.

“My only question of Liverpool would be how they play it. Do they go out and think that if they draw they’ve probably taken Manchester City out of the equation? Or do they go for the jugular and win the Premier League on Thursday night?

“If Liverpool lose the game, it’s majorly game on because it’s about how they react after, too, and they wouldn’t be invincible any more, they wouldn’t be quite as good as they thought they were. But I can’t see them not getting anything.

READ: Jurgen Klopp outlines the importance of Georginio Wijnaldum 

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 7: Andrew Robertson of Liverpool challenges John Stones of Manchester City in the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Anfield on 7 October 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

READ: Craig Bellamy believes Manchester City will win the Premier League title 

“City look all over the place at the back. I don’t really see their shape. They’re great on the ball, but they close down quickly for so long and then drop off and if they do that against Liverpool and they get through one line, they’ve got too much pace for City to deal with.

“As the game goes on, City get more open and they’ve struggled with clean sheets recently. Even when they’re 1-0 up and cruising against Southampton, and it’s a walk in the park, Charlie Austin’s through one-on-one and that could change it. They could have had a penalty against them too, I’ve seen lesser penalties given.

“Man City have spent millions and millions of pounds, they’re buying full-backs for £50m to play just when they need them to play. You can’t be spending that kind of money and be 10 points behind before the FA Cup third round.

“Win the game and go four behind and I think it’s game on, it’s what everyone will be hoping for unless you’re a Liverpool fan… Well, you feel sorry for the Manchester United fans too, what do they want?! Really they needed Tottenham to beat Wolves!

“1-3.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com