Paul Merson Offers His Prediction Ahead Of Liverpool’s Clash With Stoke

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has made his prediction ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Stoke City this weekend.

The Reds entertain Mark Hughes’ side at Anfield on Sunday afternoon knowing they desperately need a win in order to keep alive their slim hopes of finishing in the top four this season.

Liverpool head in to the weekend action sitting ninth in the table and a full nine points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City following a 1-1 draw with Tottenham last weekend so only a win will do against Stoke on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp’s men should be high on confidence after securing an impressive 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Europa League quarter final clash at the Westfalenstadion last night.

It remains to be seen whether Klopp will make changes against Stoke ahead of the second leg or whether some players will be feeling the effects of last night’s game but Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is backing Liverpool to collect all three points on Sunday.

Writing in his column for Sky Sports before Liverpool’s game with Dortmund yesterday, Merson said that he fancies the Reds to just edge out an inconsistent Stoke side.

It all depends what happens to Liverpool against Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League. They could be on the end of a hiding and then things are a bit different. Liverpool in the top four is out of the question for me now.

Stoke are a funny team. They play good football, but they’re 2-0 up and cruising and then get pegged back for a draw. I saw them get well beaten by Southampton the other week at home, but then they’ll beat teams. They’re a bit hot and cold at the moment and haven’t got that consistency, but they are still a good team.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1

We’ll have to wait and see whether Merson’s prediction proves to be accurate but victory could see Liverpool climb as high as seventh and within touching distance of the top four depending on other results this weekend.