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Manchester United take on Liverpool in a game that’s a must-win for both sides, and pundits Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have both revealed their predictions.
Erik Ten Hag’s men have lost each of their first two games in the Premier League this season. Brighton beat them at Old Trafford before Brentford absolutely humiliated them last week. Liverpool haven’t had a great start either. They’ve drawn both their games so far, which makes Monday’s clash at Old Trafford an intriguing one.
Chris Sutton and Paul Merson make very different predictions for Manchester United vs Liverpool
Despite their terrible start, Liverpool will go into the game as the favourites. Sutton is absolutely convinced that Jurgen Klopp’s men will pick up the win, but Merson believes Manchester United have a chance.
Chris Sutton’s prediction: Manchester United 1-5 Liverpool
Sutton wrote in his predictions column on BBC Sport: “If Manchester United win this game, they leapfrog Liverpool in the table, but that is not going to happen. United aren’t able to press teams with the players they have got, and I don’t really know what Erik ten Hag can change with what he has got in his squad.
“Liverpool have started slowly too, and Darwin Nunez’s suspension won’t help on top of their injuries. That leaves them a bit short up front, although Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz looked lively against Palace. Whatever happens, you just know Jurgen Klopp’s side will outwork United at the very least.
“Maybe United’s players will run around a little bit more this week than they did against Brentford, but they need to find some heart. Unless something happens this week that triggers a change in attitude in the squad, I don’t see it happening.
“The home crowd will be willing them to take the game to Liverpool, and if they do that then they are in big trouble because that’s when Klopp’s side are at their best. They won 5-0 at Old Trafford last season and it is going to be a similar story this time, although I am going to give United a goal just to lift their spirits a little.”
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Paul Merson’s prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool
Merson claimed on Sportskeeda: “After Manchester United were humiliated by Brentford, I thought about their game against Liverpool and wondered how many they’d concede. Once I watched Liverpool against Palace, though, I immediately gave Manchester United a chance and I really mean that.
“This is a massive opportunity for Erik ten Hag and his players to set things right. It’s the biggest game of the season and no one expects them to win, but in my opinion, the result isn’t as much of a foregone conclusion as it’s made out to be.
“Liverpool are already four points behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race and the gap could be as high as seven points by Monday night. If that were to be the case, even the most loyal Liverpool fan would fancy Manchester City for the Premier League title this season – it’s game over for them if they lose to Manchester United!
“This is Manchester United’s biggest game in ages. They’ve played in several European Cup finals and everything, but in the modern era, this is as big as it gets for them. Liverpool have been more successful in this fixture over the past few years, but this is the best time for Manchester United to face them.
“I might get absolutely ripped to shreds for my prediction, but I’m going to go for a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.”
TBR View:
Those are two extremely different predictions, aren’t they?
After watching Manchester United’s performance in their first two games, it’s very difficult to see how they can go toe-to-toe with a high-pressing Liverpool side who beat them 5-0 in the same fixture last season.
However, Liverpool don’t look great either at the moment. They were made to work really hard to get a point against newly-promoted Fulham on the opening day, while if Wilfried Zaha wasn’t as wasteful as he was after his opener last week, Klopp’s men would’ve lost against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool will definitely back themselves to pick up their first win of the season on Monday, but football is a funny game, and Manchester United could well step up and cause an upset.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
The post 'It's game over': Paul Merson and Chris Sutton make two very different predictions for Man United vs Liverpool appeared first on The Boot Room.
