‘Man City will beat Liverpool – however I’m backing Reds to win Premier League’

Dean Ashton is tipping Manchester City to beat Liverpool this weekend – however believes the reds will go on to win the Premier League.

The talkSPORT and Sky Sports pundit thinks City’s in-form gamers will give them the sting at Anfield on Sunday (March 10). But, Ashton, who performed for West Ham, Norwich and Crewe whereas additionally being capped by England, thinks Jurgen Klopp could have the final chortle.

He mentioned: “The weekend’s match is ginormous. It feels as if these games against each other are vital for who wins the title at the end of the season. It being at Anfield in particular gives it that extra little edge as well. If you love football, then you’ll love this game.”

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Ashton believes the potential return of Mohamed Salah may very well be pivotal. “It feels vital,” he mentioned. “Salah’s such an vital participant, a participant that may flip any sport, even whether it is off the bench.

“The sport may nonetheless be tight within the final 20 minutes, and for Jurgen Klopp, with the ability to flip to the bench, you’re feeling prefer it’s big if they’ll flip to him, albeit how good the Liverpool children have been not too long ago. All the gamers coming again like [Dominik] Szoboszlai and [Darwin] Nunez, they’re all actually vital for these video games, as a result of City are simply so good.

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“It could be not just a boost for Klopp but the players as well. When you look around the dressing room and see Mo Salah back in the team, it gives your a lift.

“In big games you have to look at the form players, and [Phil] Foden is that. The only issue for Liverpool is, even though some of your best players are back, are they fit and firing? Whereas City’s are.

“[Erling] Haaland looks back, Foden’s in incredible form, [Kevin] De Bruyne’s now had enough game time to go. Rodri’s always an important player in these games as well, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he popped up with a goal as he always seems to do in big games. I think that does tip it slightly in City’s favour, because their top players are fit and well in form.”

Predicting the end result, he mentioned: “I’m going to edge towards Manchester City, even though I think Liverpool might go on ahead and win the title. I just think in this game, having your best players in form and fit will give Manchester City the edge against Liverpool, who have only just got some of their big players back. I’ll go with a really tight game, but City to edge it 2-1.”

Explaining why he thinks Liverpool will finally take the title, Ashton, 40, added: “I went for Liverpool earlier on within the season as a result of I simply felt that they had the expertise that possibly Arsenal hadn’t obtained. When I realised the defence was again to its finest, you simply know they’ve obtained gamers that rating objectives in each single sport.

“The main thing for me is that Virgil van Dijk looks back to where he was before his big injury. It takes a long time to get over these injuries, and their defence is now back to where it was when they were right up there with City and winning the title.

“I’m still going to stick with Liverpool, but I mean it’s so difficult to call. It’s all going to come down to these games.”

Ashton was speaking to Champions (UK) plc forward of their annual charity ball, which he shall be attending. For extra info go to www.championsukplc.com