Liverpool will ‘rip Manchester United to shreds’ when the two sides meet on Sunday, legend has confidently predicted.
United travel to Anfield in completely contrasting form to their arch-rivals having been before being knocked out of the by Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Liverpool meanwhile have lost just two games across all competitions this season, results that have put them atop the table, 10 points ahead of sixth-placed United.
Even if performances hadn’t been so woeful, the Red Devils would still go into this clash as underdogs given their recent record against the Reds, especially at Anfield, with the combined score from the last five meetings there being 16-1 in favour of the home side.
And Merson believes it will be more of the same on Sunday, even going so far as to say that out-of-form and injury stricken Crystal Palace have a better chance against champions Manchester City than United do against Liverpool.
He told : ‘People keep saying this is a big game, but is that really the case? I think this is my easiest call of the weekend – I expect Liverpool to win quite comfortably.
‘Bruno Fernandes is suspended and the likes of Luke Shaw, and were substituted due to injuries against , so it doesn’t look good for them.
‘Let me say it like this – I’d be more shocked if got a draw at Anfield than if Crystal Palace got a result against Manchester City. That’s how confident I am that Liverpool are winning this, as Erik ten Hag’s side are absolutely all over the place.
‘They got a free swing against Bayern Munich but went out with a whip. Before that, they were absolutely slaughtered at home by Bournemouth and even if you look at the games they won, they just faltered over the line.
‘I expect Liverpool to rip them to shreds, so I’m going for a 3-0 home win. Alexis Mac Allister is a massive injury doubt, but Jurgen Klopp has a few options to choose from in midfield.
‘Wataru Endo has played a few games recently and Harvey Elliott’s cameos have been impressive, but I think Curtis Jones is someone who knows how big this game is, so I expect him to start at Anfield.
‘As for Manchester United’s team, I think Ten Hag will just be throwing players onto the pitch. I don’t expect anything from Manchester United as they simply haven’t been good enough this season.
‘Liverpool, on the other hand, are the league leaders and with games coming thick and fast in the festive period, they absolutely have to win this one, particularly with the game against Arsenal on the horizon.
‘I predict Premier League results every weekend and have got a few things wrong over the course of the season, but I’m not worried in the slightest about my prediction for this game.’
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