Paul Merson states his prediction for Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Paul Merson is backing Liverpool to claim a comfortable win over Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday
Paul Merson is tipping Liverpool to kick-start their season with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Reds head into the game looking to secure their first three points of the campaign after slumping to a 3-3 draw against Watford in their opener last weekend.
Since then, though, Liverpool did take a big step towards qualification for the group stage of the Champions League by beating Hoffenheim 2-1 in the first leg of their play-off tie on Tuesday night.
Much has been made about the future of Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho in recent weeks amid Barcelona’s reported interest in signing him.
However, former Arsenal star Merson is backing the Reds to get the job done by beating Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Writing in his column for Sky Sports, Merson said: “Both teams have defensive concerns but more so Crystal Palace. I know Liverpool let in three at Watford but they didn’t lose and then they won in midweek, which was a great result.
“Palace have done well at Anfield over the last few years but they are not good enough defensively.
“You don’t want to start a season with a home defeat like they did against Huddersfield. It puts them up against it. If you lose this game then you are behind the eight ball already and I don’t think they have been great in the transfer market.
“The manager is asking them to play out from the back and when you do that with a lack of a confidence you’re asking for trouble.”
Liverpool have been relatively active in the summer transfer window so far, after having tied up deals to sign Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke.
The Reds continue to be linked with a number of other new players as Jurgen Klopp looks to further strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
