Liverpool vs Tottenham predictions — 7 pundits have their say on big game

7 top pundits have delivered their Premier League predictions for Liverpool vs. Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday, with scathing assessments of Spurs' relegation battle

Liverpool beat Spurs 2-1 in the reverse fixture in December(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool will host Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday, with both sides urgently requiring points at opposite ends of the table.

While the Reds are seeking to recover from their midweek Champions League loss to Galatasaray, Spurs are fighting to avoid relegation. They find themselves dangerously close to the drop zone following a dismal sequence of results under new manager Igor Tudor and are grappling with a severe injury crisis.

A Liverpool victory, combined with favourable results for West Ham and Nottingham Forest, would only drag Tudor's team further into trouble. Arne Slot has faced a challenging campaign with Liverpool. With inconsistent form plaguing them, the Reds now face a significant struggle to secure a top-four finish.

Here, Liverpool.com examines what seven of soccer's leading pundits have forecast ahead of this weekend's encounter between the two clubs.

Paul Merson — 3-0

Former Arsenal forward Merson anticipates Liverpool will defeat Spurs 3-0 and believes the outcome will seal Tudor's fate. He said: "It's just a matter of by how many goals Liverpool can win.

"How long is Igor Tudor going to be around? My question is who wants the Spurs job at the moment? Tottenham will wait it out. They will get the Liverpool game out of the way before making a decision on Tudor. No one expects Spurs to win this game.

Paul Merson has tipped Liverpool to beat Spurs this weekend(Image: Stick to Football podcast)

"If Tottenham lose at Anfield, I will be shocked if Tudor is still in charge of the team for next weekend's massive relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest. I'm expecting Arne Slot to go with his best team for this game. I expect Liverpool to turn it around against Galatasaray in the second leg next week."

Chris Sutton — 2-0

Ex-Blackburn favorite Sutton reckons that Liverpool, despite its own difficulties, possesses too much quality for Spurs and will emerge as the comfortable winner. He said: "There just seems to be so many things wrong at Spurs. They sacked Thomas Frank, thinking they were going to get this short-term fix from Tudor, but they have got a guy who has had a short-term shocker.

"Liverpool are far from convincing either, mind you. It's not impossible that Spurs scramble a win here because Arne Slot's side were lousy in Turkey on Tuesday. Slot has got the second leg against Galatasaray to think about, and they will make changes, but they surely can't lose to Tottenham, can they? Prediction: 2-0."

Wayne Rooney — 6-0

Manchester United legend Rooney anticipates the Reds will demolish Spurs. On the latest 'Stick To Football' podcast, the former England captain suggested Slot's squad could dominate proceedings at Anfield and chalk up a cricket-style scoreline, while forecasting relegation for the north London outfit.

"I think six," Rooney said. "The players need to look at themselves because I think they've been an absolute disgrace The performances, the attitude, the lack of desire, the lack of fight and there's a lack of everything in them. After seeing what's happened in the last couple of games I think they will go down."

Jamie Carragher — Big Liverpool victory

The former Liverpool defender, speaking on Sky Sports, suggested his old club will relish facing Spurs amid its current turmoil. The former center-half believes Slot's men will secure a comfortable victory. "Liverpool will be over the moon playing a Spurs side in disarray, and should win big," he said.

Gary Neville — 5-1

The ex-United skipper predicted a 5-1 home triumph for the Reds, though he ultimately expects Spurs to avoid relegation. "I don't think they will go down," he remarked on Stick to Football. "I think if you're going to make another change [of manager] that, for me, probably needs to be today or tomorrow because you don't wait. My view is they will make a change and stay up just. That's what I think will happen."

Alan Shearer — Liverpool win

The Newcastle legend backed the Reds for a comfortable victory. In conversation with Betfair, he stated: "I have no confidence whatsoever in Spurs, so Liverpool home win. It could be messy.

"Anything could happen at Anfield, if Liverpool score early, then Spurs could capitulate. The size of the game for Tottenham, I know Liverpool have got a huge game against Galatasaray, which they have to get through and win, but the magnitude of this for Tottenham is incredible. I have no belief or confidence that they'll go there and win. Liverpool win."

Tim Sherwood — Draw

In an interview with NewBettingOffers, the ex-Spurs manager suggested Tottenham could secure a point, or perhaps even all three, at Anfield if they remain disciplined defensively. He commented: "Liverpool haven't been great, but Anfield is never an easy ground for Tottenham. It's historically a disastrous ground for them, even in their best periods.

"They need to go there, try to frustrate the home crowd, who need points for their own Champions League aspirations, and be well organized with a counter-attacking threat.

"Hopefully, they can nick something, maybe from a set piece or a quick counter-attack, and then they have something to hold onto, forcing them to really fight, dig in, and defend their box, as all teams at the bottom of the table must do."