Paul Merson has reaffirmed his view that Mohamed Salah is more dangerous with Roberto Firmino in the Liverpool team and has backed the Reds to get a result against West Ham United on Wednesday evening.
Brazilian Firmino has been in fine form for the Reds so far this season and was instrumental again as Jurgen Klopp's side made light of their patchy league form to secure a significant 1-0 victory against champions Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
Salah hit the only goal of game 14 minutes from time and former Arsenal and England star Merson believes the Egyptian plays better with Liverpool's number nine alongside him.
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Writing about the forthcoming match-up with the Hammers, in his weekly match predictions column for sportskeeda, Merson said: "Liverpool seem to be back at their best. They worked their socks off against Manchester City, and that game would've taken a lot out of them. This is going to be a hard match. If they win, they've secured back-to-back victories and are back in the top-four race.
"I did tell you that Mohamed Salah was going to be a better player with Firmino in the team, didn't I? How many runs did make from the outside to the inside yesterday? It worked a treat. Look at Virgil van Dijk yesterday - he's back to being an absolute Rolls Royce. He was up against the best centre-forward in the world yesterday and was outstanding at the highest level.
"When Darwin Nunez came on, the worrying thing was that he didn't pass the ball to Salah. It's even more worrying that he didn't even spot Salah's run. They might play Carvalho or Harvey Elliott further up the pitch this week. With West Ham's injuries at the back, this might be a good time to help Nunez with his game. With him on the pitch, however, you won't get the best out of Salah."
Sky Sports regular Merson predicted a 2-1 home win to Liverpool tomorrow and he found Chris Sutton to be more or less in agreement with him, with the BBC pundit going for 3-1 to the Reds.
Former Blackburn and Chelsea striker Sutton came under fire from supporters after predicting that Jurgen Klopp's side would lose 4-1 against the Sky Blues, but admitted that Anfield had played its part in producing a home win.
Writing in his own BBC Sport predictions column, he said: "I have taken a lot of flak from Liverpool fans recently. I love it when supporters come out afterwards, like they did after beating Manchester City, and are wise after the event, but then basically admit that, beforehand, they were feeling along the same lines as my prediction.
"Still, you couldn't fail to be impressed with the way Liverpool played against City, especially the back-line who were excellent. There was a period in the second half where the crowd really got up and backed them and Anfield was bouncing again. I think they will continue in the right direction here, helped by the fact West Ham are so stretched at the back, although I do fancy Gianluca Scamacca to grab a goal for the Hammers."
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