Chris Sutton has made his prediction for Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Sunderland.
Liverpool and Sunderland clash in an 8:15pm fixture at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.
Arne Slot has confirmed one player won’t start the tie, and commented on the race for Champions League football.
Manchester United and Chelsea both dropped points on Tuesday, which should be a boost for the Reds.
However, Slot’s side have won just one of their last seven and a win in the North East is not expected.
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There has been some suggestion from the likes of Jamie Carragher that Slot could go if Liverpool don’t make it into the Champions League.
Fans are tired of the manager as well after two particularly bad runs of form this term. The first was a run of nine defeats in 12 across all competitions, and the second is their current struggles in the Premier League.
However, when making his prediction for the Sunderland game, BBC Pundit Chris Sutton said fans calling for Slot to go makes no sense to him.
He predicted a 1-1 draw and said: “The Liverpool fans seem to have had enough of Arne Slot, which again makes no sense to me. Just because they aren’t going to win the title again doesn’t mean they aren’t building anything.
“It seems that making the Champions League places is like the title used to be now – as in, if you don’t make the Champions League then the manager has got to go. It drives me potty.
“So, Liverpool will know what to expect when they try to become the first team to win at Stadium of Light this season, and this is going to be a very difficult game for them.
“Slot needs a positive result here, for Liverpool to keep in touch with the teams above them in the race for the top four. My only concern about Sunderland is whether they can bring that same physicality again, but I still don’t think Liverpool will win.”
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Joe Cole and Paul Merson agree with Chris Sutton about Liverpool
Sutton isn’t the only pundit who thinks Liverpool will drop points on February 11.
Joe Cole backs a 2-2 draw to play out with Regis Le Bris’ men.
Paul Merson also thinks that Liverpool will draw with Sunderland, and backs Curtis Jones to be the starting right-back.
He predicted a 1-1 draw and said: “Szoboszlai will be a huge miss for Liverpool due to his suspension. Arne Slot has no right-back now and will probably use Curtis Jones there. Going away to Sunderland without someone like Szoboszlai, who has done so well this season, can have an impact on Liverpool.
I expect Slot to go with the same team, apart from the forced change at right-back. But I don’t see Liverpool winning this game.
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