Man City issued double Liverpool prediction as Erling Haaland question raised

Manchester City will face Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend and have been sent two predictions for the fixture

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton hold contrasting views on the outcome of Manchester City's clash with Liverpool. City will make the trip to Anfield looking to return to winning ways following their dropped points last weekend.

Pep Guardiola's side are currently in second place in the Premier League table and trail leaders Arsenal by six points heading into the weekend. That gap could be extended if the Gunners beat Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, more than 24 hours before City face Liverpool.

City were held to a draw with Tottenham Hotspur in their last Premier League match, which has seen Guardiola and Co. fall further behind in the title race.

Consequently, Merson believes that Liverpool will secure a 3-1 win against City on Sunday, reports the Liverpool Echo.

“I'd be shocked if Liverpool lost this football match! They have bounced back well after conceding that last-minute winner against Bournemouth. 10 goals in the two games since then shows they are clicking in attack,” Merson told Sportskeeda.

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“Manchester City always let in goals. You check their results and if you've never watched them games, you would think they were flying. But the reality is that they have given away chance after chance in these games.

“Liverpool are not lackadaisical in front of goal. Manchester City, meanwhile, are all over the place at the back and could be blown away at Anfield.

“Liverpool attack is really clicking with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah. It's like Manchester City have Rayan Cherki but Liverpool have three X-factors lined up next to each other as part of their front three.

“Newcastle were really good in the first 30 minutes against Liverpool the other day. If City can play like Newcastle did there, it could be a different story! But if the game opens up and it becomes a 'you have a shot, we have a shot' type of match, then Liverpool will run away with it.

“Manchester City have to win this game. Even a draw would mean the title race is over because Arsenal would still have an eight-point lead. Like I said earlier, I expect the title race to be done this weekend, so Liverpool win.

Sutton, though, takes a different view to Merson's forecast and anticipates the points will be split in a 2-2 stalemate between Liverpool and City. The former striker also raised the question as to whether Erling Haaland or Omar Marmoush should start at Anfield.

“It will be interesting to see if Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola starts with Omar Marmoush up front ahead of Erling Haaland after his two goals against Newcastle in midweek, but their attack looks strong anyway with Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo in the team,” Sutton told BBC Sport.

“The same applies to Liverpool, who have got a striker in form in Hugo Ekitike, while Florian Wirtz is playing with confidence too.

“City will have moments where they will create chances, but Liverpool are going to have opportunities at the other end as well - there will be a few goals in this game.”

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