Paul Merson has insisted Liverpool could make a ‘huge statement’ in the Premier League title race if they beat Nottingham Forest tonight.
Two of the top three teams in the division face off at the City Ground, with Arne Slot’s side currently six points ahead of the hosts and boasting a game in hand. However, Garibaldi enter this game on the back of seven straight wins and five consecutive clean sheets, so the form guide is in their favour.
The Reds boss admitted Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were genuine title contenders this season, having handed the Merseysiders their only top-flight defeat so far this campaign when they met at Anfield four months ago.
What does Merson predict for Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool?
Merson gave his predictions for the midweek Premier League clash in his latest column for Sportskeeda, insisting both teams would be huge winners in terms of their respective aspirations for the season.
The Sky Sports expert wrote: “If you were Liverpool at the start of the season, you would have seen this game and thought, ‘Forest away after the cup on Tuesday, that’s fine.’ But now you can’t find a better team than Nottingham Forest!
“There’s a lot at stake in this game, not just Liverpool and Forest. For obvious reasons, Arsenal will be hoping Forest win, while Manchester City and Chelsea will be hoping Liverpool get the three points.
“With Nottingham Forest’s win, we have to consider them to be in the top four this season. They are currently a team in good form with seven wins on the trot. If Liverpool end up winning, I think they’ve won it there! Beating the most talented team in a chasing pack sends out a huge statement. If you do that, others will become resigned and lose their titles!”
Despite the latter claim, Merson believes it would be ‘disrespectful’ to face Forest and predicted a 1-1 draw at the City Ground.
A win could define the season for both teams
Either way, it’s a game where the clear result could define anyone’s season. If Forest win and close the gap to three points, they will be fully in contention for the title with a double over Liverpool.
Conversely, if Slot’s side were to bounce back from the Anfield defeat in September and go nine points ahead of Arsenal with the same number of games played and one less game than Nuno’s side, it would be a huge blow to the chasing pack and take a huge psychological toll. I will give it to you. Boost the Merseysiders.
If Merson’s prediction of a draw turns out to be correct, it will maintain a status quo that neither team will be completely dissatisfied with. But the Reds have already lost points in three Premier League games since early December and will be keen to show they are not wavering mid-season after poor performances and performances against Manchester United and Tottenham in the past. fortnight.
If Liverpool are to replicate last season’s dramatic win at the City Ground, they will have to do it without Darwin Nunez this time around. That’s because the Uruguayan will be suspended and will have no chance to repeat his heroics in this game from the 10th. A few months ago.
Could one of his teammates step up in similar fashion tonight and potentially secure a monumental win for LFC in the title race?
