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Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are in agreement on Liverpool’s game against Burnley this weekend, with both pundits expecting Arne Slot’s side to continue their winning start to the season.
The Reds have made the perfect start to their Premier League title defense, having won all three of their games so far against Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal. They’ll be aiming to continue that run away as they return from the international break with a trip to Turf Moor.
The two sides are expected to have very different ambitions this season, with Liverpool being tipped as the favorite to win the league crown once again, while Burnley is among the frontrunners for relegation.
Much of the talk ahead of the game centers around Alexander Isak, and whether Liverpool’s new striker will make his debut following his $169 million transfer from Newcastle on deadline day.
The 25-year-old made his first appearance of the season this week, coming off the bench during Sweden’s defeat to Kosovo in World Cup qualifying.
Even without Isak though, Liverpool will not be short of firepower, with Hugo Ekitike having already scored three goals from four appearances so far, while the likes of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will be aiming to continue the rich form they showed last season.
And former Arsenal midfielder Merson believes that strength in attack will prove too much for Burnley to handle.
Predicting a 2-0 win for the Reds, Merson told Sportskeeda: “I don't know how Burnley can keep Liverpool quiet for 90 minutes. It just feels impossible.”
Former Blackburn and Chelsea striker Sutton agrees that stopping Liverpool will prove too big a test for Burnley, having predicted a 3-0 win for the Reds.
“Burnley will be looking to keep them quiet and also carry a threat,” Sutton told BBC Sport. “They gave Manchester United a good game last time out, but stopping Liverpool is a much bigger test.
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“Arne Slot's side have not really got going yet this season, but they are still top and have won three out of three league games.
“That's a great sign for them, and ominous for their rivals - I always felt when I was a player that if we won without playing well, you knew there is more to come. It's the same with Liverpool at the moment.”
Elsewhere in their predictions, both Merson and Sutton are expecting a win for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest, with Ange Postecoglou in charge of the visitors for the first time on Saturday.
The pair though disagree in their predictions for Chelsea and Manchester City, with Sutton expecting expecting a draw for the former at Brentford and a win for the latter against Manchester United, while Merson has backed the Blues to win and City to draw with United.
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