Alan Shearer and Paul Merson disagree on Liverpool vs Chelsea prediction

Based on the Premier League table, Liverpool’s match with Chelsea on Sunday will be its hardest of the season so far. It is little wonder that pundits Alan Shearer and Paul Merson have disagreed in their predictions of the outcome, as it is a tough match to call.

The Reds have a very strong record against the Blues. Liverpool’s last defeat occurred 10 games ago, behind closed doors and in the midst of an injury crisis. The last loss with fans present was an FA Cup tie at Stamford Bridge with a weakened team, meaning it is over six years since Chelsea won in the league in front of supporters.

Opta Analyst are on the side of Liverpool this weekend. Their model rates the Reds’ chances of a win at 59.3 per cent, with the Blues given a 19.4 per cent likelihood of claiming the three points. What do the pundits think?

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Shearer gave his verdict to Metro . “Chelsea will be happy to walk away from Anfield with a point, despite the injury to Alisson,” he began. “I know they dropped points in their last home game vs [Nottingham] Forest, but I would imagine Enzo Maresca would snap your hands off for a point here.

“The key battle will be in midfield, where I think Liverpool have been strong. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis MacAllister have been superb, alongside Dominik Szoboszlai .

“The international break always makes it a little bit tougher to call, as you wait to see how players are when the return to their clubs, whether they’re ready or not to start the game.

“If everyone is fit and everyone plays, that midfield battle will be key, and I think Liverpool will come out on top,” Shearer concluded.

Strictly Come Dancing star and Chelsea fan Merson sat on the fence by predicting a draw in his column for Sportskeeda . “I expect goals in this game. I worry for Chelsea only because they're playing at Anfield. When Liverpool close teams down at Anfield, they really suffocate you.

“If Liverpool win, they start looking like genuine contenders. If Chelsea go to Liverpool and get a good result, we'll all go 'wow, this is good'.

“This game could go either way because Chelsea are playing well. I'm going for a draw since I believe Chelsea can beat the press and cause Liverpool some problems,” Merson said, before picking 2-2 as his score prediction.

That was the scoreline at Stamford Bridge in 2022, and also in the 2020 European Super Cup (after extra time). It last occurred at Anfield 11 years ago, so it has been a while. Liverpool fans will not be looking for a repeat and hope that Shearer is proved correct.