Paul Merson has shared his thoughts ahead of a highly anticipated FA Cup quarter-final clash between Manchester City and Liverpool, offering a narrow prediction for what promises to be a tightly contested encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
The former Arsenal midfielder believes the tie is difficult to call, pointing to recent performances as evidence of how evenly matched the sides can be on their day.
Speaking ahead of the weekend fixture, Merson told Sportskeeda that Manchester City may just have enough to edge their rivals.
Reflecting on recent matches, he highlighted City’s performance in a domestic final as a reference point.
“This is such a hard game to predict. I was at Wembley and saw Manchester City beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
“Arsenal were terrible in that game, they couldn’t get out after the first 15 minutes. But I also don’t remember Kepa being forced to make any big saves at the same time.”
That assessment underlines a broader theme surrounding City’s ability to control games without necessarily overwhelming opponents with chances.
It also hints at the tactical discipline that has often defined their approach in big matches, especially in knockout competitions where fine margins can decide outcomes.
For Liverpool, however, the narrative has been less straightforward. Despite flashes of quality, inconsistency has been a recurring issue throughout their campaign, leaving observers unsure which version of the team will appear in crucial fixtures.
Merson did not shy away from addressing Liverpool’s unpredictable form, suggesting that their performance level on the day will ultimately determine their chances of progressing.
“Consistency is non-existent at Liverpool. So it will come down to what version of Liverpool will turn up in this game at the Etihad on Saturday. Liverpool have a big week or two coming up. If they are not careful, their season could be all over!”
With multiple competitions still in play, squad management and tactical decisions could prove decisive in shaping their campaign.
Attention also turns to team selection, particularly with a European fixture looming.
Liverpool are due to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, raising questions about whether priority might shift away from domestic commitments. However, Merson expects a strong approach from the visitors.
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“Even though Liverpool have their Champions League quarter-final against PSG coming up on Wednesday, I expect Arne Slot to field his best eleven here.
“Let’s be honest, Liverpool have a better chance of winning the FA Cup than the Champions League. So I would say they should go all in this weekend and then take it from there.”
Ultimately, while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the contest, Merson has leaned towards the home side to come out on top.
“This could go any way, but I’m backing Manchester City simply because of how inconsistent Liverpool have been this season.”
With both teams possessing the quality to influence the game in decisive spells, the encounter is expected to be closely fought. Merson, however, predicted a 2-1 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.
