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Paul Merson and Alan Shearer are in disagreement ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City, with one of the prominent pundits backing the Reds to narrow the gap on Premier League leader Arsenal.
Both sides will be aiming to move closer to Mikel Arteta’s side after the Gunners slipped up against Sunderland on Saturday. Victory for either side at the Etihad Stadium would provide a major boost to their title hopes, while defeat could offer a setback that will be too difficult to bounce back from.
Liverpool has of course returned to winning ways following its dismal run of form, having secured back-to-back victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, but City has also impressed over the last couple of games, with Erling Haaland in particular looking to be in imperious form.
With plenty on the line at the Etihad, it should make for a fascinating encounter, and former Arsenal midfielder Merson expects Liverpool to make a decisive move.
Predicting a 3-1 victory for the Reds, he told Sportskeeda: "If you look at form, there's only one winner here and that's City, but I'm not going to look at it that way.
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"Virgil van Dijk will be up against Erling Haaland, and I think he will win that battle against the City striker. If you look at individual center-backs, Van Dijk is the Rolls-Royce, and I believe he can handle Haaland.
"If Conor Bradley had Vinicius Jr in his back pocket, he won't be worried about facing Jeremy Doku or Savinho either.
"Liverpool will also have too much for City to handle when they go forward. I don't think City are great defensively, even in that win over Bournemouth, they were far from convincing at the back. Don't get me wrong, City are bang in form, but not just the team they were three or four years ago.
“Liverpool have found some confidence now. Arne Slot has also gone back to his best full-back pairing and midfield combination. When you have Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai as your three in midfield against City, you have got to be the favorites."
Shearer, though, thinks Arsenal will end the day as the happiest side, with the former Newcastle and England striker predicting a draw at the Etihad.
“These two have set the pace for so long,” Shearer told Betfair. “It's been an amazing rivalry and will be a fabulous occasion and a great game. Both teams will be desperate to win and Arsenal will be desperate for a draw to keep both at bay. I think it'll be a score draw.
“Liverpool like to play a high line which will suit Haaland, but they had so much more protection in midweek against Real Madrid and more of it last weekend. They have to carry that on which will be tough with Man City in decent form and Haaland looks unplayable at the moment.
“There are interesting battles all over the pitch. Van Dijk and Konate v Haaland is one I'm really looking forward too.”
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