Paul Merson has revealed he would be “shocked” if Liverpool don’t continue their winning ways with victory against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Arsenal legend and high-profile pundit predicted a 2-0 triumph for Jurgen Klopp’s side after being hugely underwhelmed by United’s midweek Champions League display at Valencia.
Merson told Sky Sports: “I’d be shocked if Liverpool don’t get a result, probably like the rest of the nation. I watched United on Wednesday night, and oh my God.
“They play under pressure week in, week out. You wouldn’t understand the pressure they are playing under as Manchester United players. They then go to Valencia, a chance for them to express themselves, with nothing to lose, against nowhere near one of the best Spanish teams in the league.
“Go and express yourselves! And what happened? Oh my God. I just cannot see where United win this football match. But that isn’t to say there isn’t huge pressure on Liverpool too, as they have to stay in front.”
OPINION
Liverpool are certainly favourites going into the Anfield showdown against their bitter rivals. They are 16 points clear of United and looking a better side than any assembled by the club in the Premier League era. That said, the visitors have a fine record against Liverpool during Jose Mourinho’s tenure and it would not be as big a “shock” as Paul Merson makes out if United stopped the home side racking up three points. As the world and his wife knows, Mourinho’s side will park the bus, pack the midfield with dogs of war like Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini, and look for the odd counter-attack. They will attempt to frustrate the home crowd, prey on Liverpool’s impatience and try and sneak an ugly win. That’s their right, and it is up to Klopp’s side to counter it and play far more fluently than they have done in the last two seasons at Anfield against United.