Paul Merson and Mark Lawrenson Disagree Over Astonishing Liverpool Claim vs Aston Villa

Paul Merson has expressed doubts about Liverpool’s ability to defeat Aston Villa, suggesting that the Premier League leaders have not been performing consistently.

Despite Liverpool’s position at the top, Merson feels they have been showing quality only in brief moments and lack the form needed to secure a win over Villa on Saturday.

According to Merson, Liverpool’s performances have not been convincing enough lately. Although they currently lead both the Premier League and Champions League groups, he believes they are not operating at their best. Merson pointed out that Liverpool have been able to take charge in phases rather than consistently throughout matches.

Under the management of Arne Slot, Liverpool have seen impressive results, losing just one of the last 16 games and maintaining an unbeaten streak of 12 matches.

Additionally, they hold the best defensive record in the Premier League, conceding only six goals so far, and have progressed to the League Cup quarter-finals.

On the other hand, Aston Villa are coming off a rough patch, having lost their last three games. Without a win in four matches, Villa’s recent form has been troubling.

The club faced disappointment on Wednesday, losing their first European fixture of the season after Tyrone Mings’ handball resulted in a penalty.

Adding to Aston Villa’s challenges, injuries to key players Matty Cash and Ross Barkley have weakened the squad. Despite Villa’s current position in sixth place and trailing Liverpool by seven points, Merson remains unconvinced that Liverpool will find it easy to secure a victory against Unai Emery’s side.

“I saw Brighton against Liverpool and [Brighton] were actually better than Arne Slot’s men for the majority of that game,” he told Sportskeeda regarding last weekend’s 2-1 comeback victory.

“I just don’t think Liverpool are playing well enough to get a win in this game. If they give Villa the kind of chances they gave Brighton, the likes of Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins will punish them.

“Liverpool were really fortunate to come away with a win in the last game, but I doubt they’ll have that kind of luck here.” He added: “I really think Villa can cause Liverpool problems in this game.”

Luis Diaz scored his first hat-trick for Liverpool in Tuesday’s 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, with Cody Gakpo also adding his first Champions League goal for the club. Despite this, Paul Merson predicts that Darwin Nunez will be chosen to start this weekend.

He continued: “Although Luis Diaz netted a hat-trick in the Champions League, I believe Darwin Nunez will return to the starting line-up for this game. I didn’t think the first half against Leverkusen was great.

“That’s the problem for Liverpool now, they only play well in patches. They’re not firing on all cylinders or playing mind-blowing football, they are just getting the job done.”

Merson continued: “Curtis Jones has improved a lot. But I’m not sure if he can start ahead of Dominik Szoboszlai in this game.

“Both of them are good players. However, as a manager, I think you look at Jones and get the feeling that he can make more of an impact when coming off the bench.

“Still a top player, I don’t see any reason why he won’t be considered for an England call-up. My prediction? Liverpool 2-2 Aston Villa.”

Meanwhile Liverpool great Mark Lawrenson takes the opposing view. “I think Liverpool will win this one, Aston Villa have been slipping a bit recently,” he told PaddyPower.

“Liverpool have been quiet in the first half and then turning it on in the second so they might even come from behind but it will be close… Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa.”

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