Alan Shearer disagrees with Paul Merson on Chelsea vs Liverpool prediction

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Alan Shearer and Paul Merson have disagreed with their predictions for Liverpool this week - although neither expect the Reds to win at Chelsea.

Arne Slot’s side makes its first trip as the Premier League champion today as it heads to Stamford Bridge. With nothing more to play for now than extending the lead at the top of the table, the Liverpool boss has confirmed he will be rotating his squad over the remaining four games of the season.

That could well work in Chelsea’s favor. Enzo Maresca’s side is hunting down a top-five finish in order to qualify for the Champions League, and a win over the Reds would put them in a strong position to do so.

With its job done this season, Liverpool is effectively embarking on a month-long victory lap, culminating in Virgil van Dijk lifting the Premier League trophy on the final day against Crystal Palace before a parade around the city.

It won’t come as any surprise then if the Reds take their foot off the gas, with their boss keeping one eye on next season now.

With that in mind, both Shearer and Merson are expecting Liverpool to drop points in London. The former though is still backing the visitors to pick up a draw on their travels.

“Such a tough one to call because the title is won for Liverpool,” Shearer said in his predictions for Betfair.

(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“Chelsea have to get a result. I'll go for a draw.

“Liverpool will be out partying all week and may not be 100% which is totally understandable. Chelsea made hard work of their win last week so I'll go for a draw.”

Merson though expects Liverpool to fall to just its third league defeat of the season, with the former Arsenal star anticipating a drop-off from Slot’s players.

Predicting a 2-1 win for Chelsea, Merson told Sportskeeda: “I always speak about timings in football. And there is no better time for Chelsea to face Liverpool!

“Three weeks ago, this would have been a tough game, but now Chelsea have a good chance of winning it. I say that because Liverpool just won the league and they would have been partying!

“I’m not saying Liverpool players won’t be professional enough. But even if you step off the gas by five per cent in this league, you will get punished.

“Let’s not forget this is a must-win game for Chelsea and they will be hungry for the three points. If Chelsea want to qualify for Champions League next season, they must beat Liverpool.”

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