Chris Sutton is confident Arsenal will underline their title-winning credential with a statement win at Anfield on Sunday.
The Gunners have opened up an eight-point lead over champions Manchester City, albeit having played a game more, heading into the final 10 matches of the season.
Despite Liverpool’s recent struggles, a trip to Anfield represents an acid test of whether Mikel Arteta’s emerging side will be able to handle the pressure during the run-in.
City are likely to have closed the gap to five points before Sunday’s showdown between two traditional English heavyweights and given Arsenal haven’t won in the red half of Merseyside for 11 years the stakes could not be higher.
Sutton, however, believes Arsenal’s forward line, which has been firing on all cylinders over the course of an impressive seven-game winning run, will have too much for Liverpool’s out of sorts defence to handle.
‘Chelsea were the better team when they drew with Liverpool on Tuesday,’ Sutton told the BBC. ‘I know the Reds made a lot of changes at Stamford Bridge, but if they were resting players before this game, I don’t think it will make much difference.
‘I think Liverpool’s top-four hopes are over now, and everyone is looking ahead to the summer, when a major overhaul of their squad is needed.
‘I just don’t see a switch being flicked with their current group where, all of a sudden, they respond next season – their problems have gone on for too long.
‘I have to hold my hands up and admit I got it wrong a lot with my predictions for Liverpool this season because I kept thinking they had turned a corner – and they haven’t done.
‘There is not a lot wrong with their forward line but their defence is just not good enough and I am amazed Jurgen Klopp’s side kept a clean sheet against Chelsea. They won’t keep Arsenal out on Sunday, though.
‘There is absolutely no chance of that.
‘The way Arsenal are playing, I am expecting them to turn up at Anfield, play with a swagger, and cut right through Liverpool.
‘The Gunners have not won there since September 2012, when Mikel Arteta was playing for them, and in the past this might have been a trip they feared. Not any more.’
MORE : Jamie Carragher suspects Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp considered signing Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal
MORE : Jurgen Klopp provides injury updates on three key Liverpool players ahead of Arsenal showdown
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