Four prominent football pundits have unanimously predicted that Liverpool will secure a victory against Chelsea when the two sides meet at Anfield this weekend, with a place in next season's Champions League still hanging in the balance. Despite a recent setback against Manchester United, the Reds remain strong favourites to reclaim their spot in European football's premier competition.
Champions League Race Heats Up
Liverpool currently hold a six-point cushion over Bournemouth in sixth place, with only three fixtures remaining in the campaign. Their opponents, Chelsea, arrive at Anfield in a state of turmoil. Interim manager Calum McFarlane continues to guide the west London outfit through to the end of the season, but his tenure has been far from smooth. While he managed an FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds United in his opening match, the inexperienced boss was powerless to prevent Nottingham Forest from leaving Stamford Bridge with all three points on Monday. Chelsea have now gone six Premier League matches without a win, a run that has seen them plummet to ninth in the table.
Alan Shearer: Liverpool Win
Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has been scathing in his assessment of Chelsea, describing them as a "mess." Writing for Betfair, Shearer stated: "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. I 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." Shearer added: "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. 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
BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton believes Liverpool will secure a Champions League spot and that Chelsea pose little threat at Anfield. Sutton wrote: "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
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson contends that what was once a blockbuster fixture has lost much of its former appeal. Writing in his Sportskeeda column, Merson 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." Merson added: "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! 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." Merson concluded: "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
Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison is tipping Liverpool to beat Chelsea 3-1, insisting the Blues are still "miles off it." Speaking to FreeBets, he 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."
