Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson says that Liverpool have a ‘nightmare’ to deal with this week.
After the international break, the Reds will resume their top-four chase in the Premier League with an enticing clash against Manchester City on Saturday.
However, according to Merson, the fixture couldn’t have come at the worst time for both sides.
“It’s a nightmare game for both Man City and Liverpool to have so soon after the international break,”
said the pundit.
“It’s a huge game and it does work the same way for both teams.
Both managers don’t have the time they would like to work on things ahead of the game and you also have to wait for the players to get back to see who may or may not be fit. It’s not ideal and it may be that whoever copes with the disruption better may come out on top.
But the pressure is on Man City. They cannot afford to lose. They cannot even afford to draw.”
Paul Merson says Manchester City cannot afford to slip up against Liverpool
After the tight title battle last season where things went right down to the wire, it is clearly evident that things are different this year.
Not only are Liverpool nowhere near the title chase but, City finds themselves under massive pressure to defend their crown.
Already eight points off The Gunners, there is a huge amount of weight on Guardiola’s side. They just can’t afford to slip up in this fixture.
The Citizens will definitely be missing Phil Foden after the midfielder underwent surgery on his appendicitis.
There is also a slight possibility that the Sky Blues could be missing their star man Erling Haaland through a groin injury he suffered on international duties.
So, maybe the timing is actually ideal for Liverpool to get their first win at The Etihad since 2016.
