Paul Merson has made some contradictory claims about Liverpool’s fixture towards Chelsea on Saturday.
The Reds might safe Champions League qualification on the weekend in the event that they lengthen the Blues’ shedding run within the Premier League to seven matches and Bournemouth fail to win away to Fulham later that day.
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Arne Slot’s aspect go into the sport at Anfield off the again of a sore defeat away to Manchester United, with Roy Keane justifiably scathing of their first-half efficiency at Outdated Trafford, they usually’ll have a degree to show towards the FA Cup finalists.
Merson: Saturday is a ‘must-win recreation’ for Liverpool
In his weekly Premier League predictions column for Sportskeeda, Merson warned Liverpool that they will’t afford one other slip-up at residence to Chelsea on Saturday, though he’s predicted a 2-0 win for the Reds.
He wrote: ‘After what occurred to Liverpool towards Manchester United, that is now a must-win recreation for them. I count on Bournemouth to win this weekend.
‘If Liverpool lose once more, that hole between them and Bournemouth will come down to only three factors. Arne Slot can not afford to enter a scenario the place they put Champions League qualification for subsequent season in danger.’
Nevertheless, he appeared to contradict himself later within the piece by stating: ‘These days, there has additionally been noise across the lack of depth proven by this Liverpool workforce, however I’m not stunned by it as a result of I consider many of those gamers could have one eye on the World Cup.
‘None of them need to be injured and it is just a pure response, particularly when Liverpool don’t have anything to play for in the meanwhile. I’m backing the hosts to get an important win at Anfield.’
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Merson has contradicted himself, however Liverpool mustn’t slacken off
One query for Merson – is it a ‘must-win recreation’ for the Reds, or have they ‘nothing to play for’?
Given the dreadful first-half displaying towards Man United, the equally dreadful type of Chelsea and the necessity for extra factors to make sure Champions League qualification, we’d place Saturday’s match firmly within the former class.
From Liverpool’s present place, they need to be capable of keep their place throughout the prime 5, however they gained’t need it to change into a close-run factor within the closing three weeks of the season, with minds being solid again to how we virtually threw away a top-four end in direction of the top of 2017/18.
If the Reds can end the job this weekend, it’d not less than take a lot of the stress off of the following fixtures towards Aston Villa and Brentford, each of whom have a lot to combat for themselves within the engrossing chase for European positions.
Slot’s workforce get pleasure from going first within the Premier League on this matchweek, and in the event that they handle their very own enterprise at Anfield on Saturday, they will then put their ft up and see how Bournemouth reply at Craven Cottage later within the afternoon.
Liverpool maintain the aces for now – the necessary factor is to not lose them from right here.
