Four pundits issue Liverpool vs Chelsea predictions – and they all say the same thing

READ MORE: Liverpool announcement has changed the mood – but Arne Slot question persists

OPINION

With that in mind, the ECHO have taken a look at what the top pundits have said ahead of the Anfield clash, with one team clearly in the driving seat.

Alan Shearer – Liverpool win

Alan Shearer slammed “messy” Chelsea and admitted it looks like a return to winning form for Liverpool. The Betfair ambassador said: “It’s a big opportunity for Liverpool here. Chelsea look a mess, don’t they? I don’t know how many times I’ve said it, but whatever happens at the top of the club always filters down onto the pitch, and that’s exactly what’s happening now.

“It looks as if their players are trying to get through the season to the FA Cup Final, and then see what happens. It can’t look past Liverpool to win this one, and that would secure Champions League football after what’s been a really disappointing season for them.

“Having watched Chelsea v Forest the other night, Chelsea were shocking, they were abysmal and there has to be a massive improvement from that, because you can’t just turn it on and off. You can’t just turn up and think, oh, we’ll get through to the FA Cup Final and see what happens.

“They’re really struggling now for European football next season, let alone Champions League football. I just don’t know what to expect from Chelsea.”

Chris Sutton – Liverpool win

Chris Sutton believes the Reds will make it back to the Champions League next season and that the visitors won’t cause too many problems at Anfield. Writing in his BBC Sport column, he said: “Liverpool still look like they will finish in the Champions League places even after their defeat by Manchester United last time out, but that result was the latest disappointment in what has been a poor season by their standards.

“Chelsea have bigger problems, however. It is all falling apart for them and, after six straight league defeats, they are down in ninth place and absolutely desperate for a result here.

“I just don’t see them getting anything at Anfield though. Cole Palmer looks a shadow of the player we know he is and they are struggling defensively too.”

Paul Merson – Liverpool win

Paul Merson argues that the once-monumental clash doesn’t have the same shine that it once did. Backing the Reds in his Sportskeeda column, the ex-Arsenal star said: “This game used to be big, but it’s not the same anymore! After what happened to Liverpool against Manchester United, this is now a must-win game for them.

“If Liverpool lose again, that gap between them and Bournemouth will come down to just three points. Arne Slot cannot afford to go into a situation where they put Champions League qualification for next season at risk.

“Chelsea are completely out of the equation for Champions League qualification in my opinion. I was there at Stamford Bridge when they lost 3-1 to Nottingham Forest on Monday. They got absolutely destroyed and have now lost six straight games in the Premier League! Unbelievable run of poor form.

“I think Chelsea are lacking in confidence at the moment. They’re a young football team and need that 30-year-old player in the line-up who can just calm things down on the pitch.

“I also don’t understand why they were playing Cole Palmer as a right-winger. He’s a no.10, just play him there! I know Palmer has not impressed this season. But it also down to how Chelsea have set themselves up. Joao Pedro has been excellent but he is not a proper number nine, he likes to drop deep and that leaves little space for Palmer.

“Just look at Liverpool on the other hand. The two centre-backs haven’t been good enough, Milos Kerkez has been poor, they miss Trent and haven’t covered that position well enough.

“Apart from Dominik Szoboszlai, none of their midfielders have performed well, both Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have had their own issues and yet, if they had beaten Manchester United, they would have been level on points! That says a lot and I believe Liverpool can finish above United next season.

“Lately, there has also been noise around the lack of intensity shown by this Liverpool team. But I’m not surprised by it because I believe many of these players will have one eye on the World Cup. None of them want to be injured and it is only a natural reaction, especially when Liverpool have nothing to play for at the moment.

“I’m backing the hosts to get a crucial win at Anfield.”

Clinton Morrison – Liverpool win

Clinton Morrison believes Liverpool will get a 3-1 win over Chelsea with the Blues still “miles off it.” Speaking to FreeBets, the ex-Crystal Palace man said: “They (Chelsea) need a top-quality manager who can steady the ship. The recruitment hasn’t been as good as people thought, the squad needs freshening up, and some of those players need to look at themselves.

“The performance against Nottingham Forest was nowhere near good enough. Miles off it. With the amount of money spent at that football club, they should be doing a lot better. I honestly don’t know where Chelsea go from here.”