Pundits are in agreement with their prediction for Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Sheffield United.
The Reds return to top-flight action on Thursday night when they face the Blades at Anfield. Liverpool go into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Brighton at the weekend, thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
The win over the Seagulls moved Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table, leapfrogging Arsenal in the process after their draw with Manchester City. The Reds could find themselves back in second place when they kick off against Sheffield United if Arsenal and Man City win their games on Wednesday night.
Sheffield United are bottom of the league table and 52 points adrift of Liverpool in the table. As a result, pundits are predicting a big win for the Reds on Merseyside on Thursday night.
Former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton believes that Salah could enjoy a good day in front of goal against the Blades. Sutton has predicted that Liverpool will claim a 5-0 win.
“This is top versus bottom and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah is going to be captaining my Fantasy team – that should tell you all you need to know about what I am expecting to happen here,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“Against Brighton on Sunday, Liverpool did what they have done all season, which is finding a way to win even when they fall behind. This should be far more straightforward because Sheffield United do not have the quality to cause them the same problems the Seagulls did.
“Liverpool cannot just expect to turn up and win easily though. The finish line is in sight but they need to put their foot down to get there first, and that is what I think will happen here.
“Looking at the table, goal difference could play a big part in the title race. Arsenal have the advantage there at the moment, but a big scoreline here could change that.”
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson agrees with Sutton with his prediction for the game. Merson believes the Reds will claim a 3-0 win over Sheffield United, but did issue a warning to the players.
“Liverpool are relentless, and they just keep going,” Merson told Sportskeeda. “They were 1-0 down against Brighton, and not once did I think they weren’t going to win. They didn’t seem like they were in trouble at all.
“The Premier League is Liverpool’s bread and butter this season. If they rest players and don’t turn up this week, they could lose this game. They’re better off winning the game and then taking players off instead of bringing them on to win games with 30 minutes left.
“Liverpool have players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota coming back from injuries, and they’ll be fresh. They have a couple of hard games coming up, but I’m backing them to get this game out of the way.”
