Liverpool are in danger of “getting a hiding” from Manchester City unless they “park the bus” on Sunday, according to Paul Merson.
The Reds are currently seven points adrift of Premier League leaders City – who also have a game in hand – ahead of their match against Pep Guardiola’s men over the weekend.
Liverpool have lost back-to-back home matches against Burnley and Brighton and they have to return to form at Anfield against City if they want to keep their title hopes alive.
MAILBOX: Liverpool should sell ‘liability’ Trent Alexander-Arnold…
After watching the Reds’ recent performances, Merson reckons Jurgen Klopp’s side could be forced to play deep and hit City on the counter-attack.
Merson wrote in his Daily Star column: “Liverpool might have to park the bus against Manchester City – and are now in danger of missing out on the top four.
“The fear factor has well and truly gone and they’ve just lost at home to Brighton and Burnley.
“I’m not sure about Liverpool now. They are in trouble. They are starting to become a team that has to be a full pelt to win football matches.
“The last couple of years they have managed to win sometimes without playing well. But if they play badly now they lose.
“If they beat City somehow this weekend they could be back in the title race. It’s that tight up there. But will they?
“I think we might see Liverpool park the bus and play on the counter-attack. If they don’t, they could end up getting a hiding from City.
“Liverpool are 100 per cent in danger of missing out on the top four the way they are going – and City are flying.
“Liverpool have got to be careful now. They are losing matches you don’t expect them to, and the teams around them are winning.
“Jurgen Klopp said recently that top four was the aim, but with their form at home at the moment, with no fans inside Anfield, there’s a real danger they miss out.
“You’ve got to remember what an achievement it is for Liverpool to be up there at all with all these injuries.”
The post If Liverpool don’t ‘park the bus’ they could get City ‘hiding’ – Merson appeared first on Football 365.