2 days ago
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Paul Merson thinks Liverpool will fail to win once again when the Reds travel to Leeds United this weekend.
Arne Slot's men recorded another disappointing result earlier this week as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sunderland, almost losing the game in stoppage time.
Saturday sees Liverpool face another promoted side, and Daniel Farke's men will be full of confidence after recording a 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Elland Road a matter of days ago.
Ahead of the game, Merson delivered his score prediction, backing a 1-1 draw, while he also questioned Slot's decision to withdraw Alexander Isak while Liverpool was chasing the game against Sunderland.
"Leeds United have done well in recent games," Merson said in his Sportskeeda predictions. "That was a massive result against Chelsea and even against Manchester City last weekend, I thought they were very unlucky to not walk away with at least a point after that comeback in the second half.
"If Leeds can get Elland Road going like they did in the win over Chelsea, they have a chance in this game.
"You know what surprised me during Liverpool's draw against Sunderland? It was 1-1, they were chasing the winner and Arne Slot decided to take Alexander Isak off.
"I know Federico Chiesa came on as his replacement and produced a great clearance to deny Sunderland the winner, but I find that substitution quite strange. Your main signing, the man you paid the record transfer fee for, taken off when your team needs a goal. I just can't get my head around it!
"Florian Wirtz is slowly showing signs of improvement at Liverpool. I've always said that he needs more games. This is a hard league and you need time to get used to it.
"The German league is quite open and gives players like him the space to operate effectively. Here, every game is hard. If you look at the Leeds team for example, most of the players in that line-up would be full internationals.
"You don't see that in a team battling relegation in the Bundesliga. That is the difference. Liverpool need to trust him with more minutes now.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Liverpool won this game 2-0 or even 3-0. But it's a free swing for Leeds at Elland Road and that makes them dangerous. I'm going for a draw, but if I was forced to pick a team, I'd choose Liverpool."
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