Alan Shearer and Paul Merson are both expecting Liverpool to take another step toward the Premier League title against West Ham today.
The Reds have already moved closer to being crowned champions before even kicking a ball at Anfield, thanks to Arsenal’s draw with Brentford on Saturday. That result means Arne Slot is now a maximum of just nine points away from securing his first title in charge of Liverpool.
And after a momentous week, which saw Mohamed Salah end any speculation over his immediate future by signing a new two-year deal, while Virgil van Dijk might not be too far behind him in penning new terms, a win over the Hammers would be the cherry on the cake.
Despite being so close to the title, there have been questions over the Reds recently as their season has stumbled. Last weekend’s defeat at Fulham was the third loss in four games, a run which has seen their treble and double hopes ended.
Nevertheless, Liverpool is still expected to cruise to the championship, with the league crown potentially just a week away now if Arsenal continues to drop points. The pundits aren’t expecting another slip-up from the Reds this weekend, with former Newcastle striker Shearer in no doubt at all about their chances against West Ham.
(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)
Predicting a win for Liverpool, Shearer told Betfair: “I’ve not been that impressed at all with West Ham. I know that Liverpool slipped up last week, but it’s only a matter of time before they win the league and they’ll get back to winning ways this weekend.”
And former Arsenal star Merson is in full agreement, having predicted a 3-1 win for the Reds.
“Liverpool will win this,” Merson told Sportskeeda. “West Ham have been so disappointing. Graham Potter has not had that kick-on effect like I expected. But he will only be judged next season when he get his own players and builds his own system.
Learn more
“Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk renewing their contracts is unbelievable news for Liverpool! It’s certainly bad news for Arsenal, Man City and the others though. If you had to lose one of those three players, it would have to be Trent Alexander-Arnold. I don’t mean that badly, he’s the best passer in the country, but Salah and Van Dijk are just more important.
“Fair play to both of them as well. They could’ve easily taken the easy way out by accepting a big pay cheque to go to another league in the latter stages of their career. But they have decided to stay at Liverpool and compete, which is commendable.”
