Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes that Saturday's Premier League clash between Liverpool and Chelsea could be huge for the remainder of the season.
The former Arsenal star has highlighted how the result could have implications on whether any of these sides finish in the top four come the end of the campaign.
Liverpool come into the game at Anfield in ninth place while Graham Potter's side are in 10th - level on points with the Reds. A win for either side could launch a winning run.
READ MORE: Liverpool should listen to Rio Ferdinand and make £70m man's dream come true
READ MORE: N'Golo Kante makes Chelsea return after four month injury lay-off ahead of Liverpool clash
With both sides currently sat on 28 points in the league, Merson has predicted the spoils to be shared at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.
“Ninth place against tenth place – is this a big game?” Merson told Sportskeeda. “I’ll go as far as to say that whoever loses this match is completely out of the Premier League top-four race. This is a massive game. The team that wins this game could go on a run and really push for a place in the top four.
“Liverpool got blown away by Brighton the other day. I did mention that there was no way Brighton were going to lose that game, and they deserved to win. The Liverpool players who played against Wolves aren’t going to play on Saturday. Mohamed Salah isn’t closing down like he used to. They need to go back to closing down and winning the ball high up the pitch – they’re not doing that at all at the moment.
“This is going to be an interesting game. Chelsea have got injuries and aren’t playing great football, but if they can get through the first 20 minutes, they’ve got a chance. Cody Gakpo’s been struggling a bit so far – I can’t remember players for Holland coming in and ripping it up in the Premier League in the last couple of years. He’ll need time, and he might need to come out of the team for a game or two.
“Liverpool have got to hang in there and win matches until the likes of Jota and Diaz are back. They need to get their confidence back up and get on a roll. There’s not a lot between these two teams, and I think this game will end in a draw. Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea.”
READ NEXT:
FSG stance on selling as truth behind Qatar and Liverpool talk emerges
Harvey Elliott has just given two examples of what Liverpool urgently need
Michail Antonio slams 'ridiculous' Jurgen Klopp claims amid Jude Bellingham to Liverpool verdict
Jurgen Klopp triggers Wolves fume as Stefan Bajcetic gets rollocking from Liverpool team-mate
'The last few days' - Liverpool squad have just made change that could save season
