Former Premier League winner Chris Sutton has backed Manchester City to deal out a hammering to Liverpool in their clash at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds have endured a dreadful start to the season and are already 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal. That puts them 10th in the table, facing an uphill battle to secure a place in the top four as Jurgen Klopp struggles to find a solution to their problems.
They have had better success in the Champions League, smashing Rangers 7-1 on Wednesday night. But Sutton does not believe that the morale-boosting win at Ibrox will be enough for them to overcome the reigning champions, instead predicting they will lose 4-1.
"Before they went to Emirates Stadium, I had backed Liverpool for most of the season because I thought they would get their mojo back. But that hasn't happened. Yes, they beat Rangers 7-1 on Wednesday, but I don't think that will have much bearing on what happens this weekend - far from it, in fact," he told BBC Sport.
"It is hard to make a case for Liverpool still being in the title race anyway, but if City go to Anfield and win then it really is all over for Jurgen Klopp's side; they would have no chance. City will know that, and they know they could land a knockout blow.
" Erling Haaland was rested in midweek so he will be ready - and I think City are that good, they will wipe the floor with them. Liverpool's high line has been causing them problems anyway - Rangers were able to get at them in the first half on Wednesday - so they would have to be very brave to try that against Haaland.
HAVE YOUR SAY! What are your predictions for this weekend's Premier League games? Comment below.
"They might still create opportunities, because of the way City are set up, but when you look at both teams, City are just too good. Pep Guardiola's side scored four at Anfield in February 2021, and I think they will match that. I almost went for them to get five, which City last managed there in 1937, but either way this will be a walloping."
While he thinks City will keep the pressure on Arsenal, Sutton believes that the Gunners will remain at the top of the league come the end of the weekend. They travel to Leeds United, with Sutton predicting a 3-1 win for Mikel Arteta's men.
"Leeds were superb for the first 45 minutes against Crystal Palace but they could not sustain it. This game might follow the same pattern, with Leeds putting so much into it early on, then being picked off later," he added.
"However it plays out, I'm expecting Arsenal to win because they are absolutely buzzing at the moment. That confidence will be there because of their performance to beat Liverpool - I wasn't too far off with my 4-1 prediction either.
"And they have got plenty of goals in their front three. If Leeds are as aggressive as I think they will be, there will be plenty of space for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka to run in behind, and plenty of chances for Gabriel Jesus too."
