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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Danny Bloomer

Arsenal heroes Paul Merson and Ray Parlour make 'difficult' predictions for Liverpool match

Liverpool are set to provide Arsenal with the ultimate test of their Premier League title credentials at Anfield on Sunday.

The Gunners head into their trip to Merseyside eight points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table and know a win would be a huge step towards lifting the trophy in May.

Jurgen Klopp's side, meanwhile, have been well below their best this season as they sit eighth in the division, but possess an incredible recent home record against Arsenal.

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They have won each of the last six Premier League meetings at Anfield by an aggregate score of 22-4 and know only another win will do to keep their faint hopes of top four alive.

Former Arsenal duo Paul Merson and Ray Parlour have both given their predictions on Sunday's huge encounter and Liverpool Echo have rounded them up for you.

Paul Merson - Sportskeeda

In his latest predictions column for Sportskeeda, Merson wrote: "This game is a worry for Arsenal. Liverpool did not play Salah, Van Dijk, Robertson, or Alexander-Arnold against Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp could be saving these players for Arsenal. I'd be shocked if they don't play this game.

"It seems like the Arsenal game at home is more important to Jurgen Klopp, and that would worry me as an Arsenal fan. If Arsenal win this game, I think they win the Premier League. They still have a game against an excellent Newcastle side, but Arsenal won't have to beat them if they can get the better of Liverpool. If they win this game, they would have to have a major meltdown to lose the title race.

"Jurgen Klopp wants his Liverpool side to play a certain way, and his team doesn't have the legs to pull it off at the moment. It wasn't too long ago that Liverpool were smashing Manchester United at home. This is going to be a difficult game for Arsenal, and a victory here would seal the Premier League title for me."

Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal

Ray Parlour - NetBet

Parlour, on the other hand, is not expecting his former side to come away with three points. He told NetBet: "Arsenal will have one hand on the title if they beat Liverpool. This is one of the toughest games of their season, even though Liverpool have been really inconsistent this term, you never know which Liverpool will turn up. Jurgen Klopp will be scratching his head wondering where he is going wrong, but they always seem to raise their game against Arsenal.

"If Arsenal get a result here it’s another big sign that these players are the real deal and that they can go all the way. Manchester City will start panicking if Arsenal keep picking up wins away at teams like Liverpool.

"But it’s going to be tight and I think a point would be a good result for Arsenal. If I was to bet on it I would go with a draw, a 2-2 draw. Both defences with the firepower on the pitch will be vulnerable. Arsenal have been very good defensively but I do see goals in this game."

Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

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