Paul Merson pours cold water on Liverpool’s title chances as he insists Man City are favourites

Paul Merson has slammed Liverpool’s celebrations after their 2-0 win over Arsenal, as he insists Manchester City are still in control of the Premier League title race.

The Reds moved to within one point of league leaders City thanks to goals Diogo Jota and Andrew Robertson at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

No doubt, the Premier League title will now get exciting, especially with Pep Guardiola’s City due to host Liverpool next month.

Paul Merson has slammed the Liverpool celebrations after their 2-0 win over Arsenal

The pundit felt the celebrations were too much and feels that Manchester City are still in control of the Premier League title race

Man City could have restored their six-point lead at the top over Liverpool, however, they could only draw with Crystal Palace on Monday evening at Selhurst Park.

Despite that result Merson has quickly shut down hopes of the title now being in Jurgen Klopp’s sides hands as they head into the final stretch of the campaign.

‘Man City, at your peril. Nothing’s really changed. Liverpool still have to win every game,’ Merson insisted on Sky Sports.

‘They’re (City) still one point [ahead], and they’ve got Liverpool at home. If Man City win every game and draw with Liverpool, they win the league. 

‘It’s not in their hands! You’re talking about a Man City team that have won 14 or so games on the trot so many times over the last three or four years. 

Paul Merson (pictured) insists it’s not in Liverpool’s hands and slammed their celebrations after 2-0 win over Arsenal

‘Everybody’s celebrating here tonight like they’ve won. Man City went to Selhurst Park and drew nil-nil. 

‘They had enough chances to win two football matches. They’re not looking like they’re not going to score a goal.’

Merson was questioned if they got carried away although he did acknowledge it was a big result for the Merseyside club, felt the celebrations were as if they had already won the Premier League.

‘Yeah, I have to say yeah. It’s a big celebration because it’s a big game because Arsenal couldn’t be playing better at any point in the season. 

‘It was a big football match. But you have to remember they’re behind one of the best teams in the world still. 

‘They’re one point behind. I know they can go top if they beat Watford. This team [City] can reel off eight wins on the trot like that. 

Liverpool can go top if they beat Watford, but Merson would still rather be City 

‘And I mean like that. And they can do it again. I’d rather be Man City at the moment, in my opinion. 

‘They’ve [Liverpool] still got to go to the Etihad and I know Man City, they’re a proper football team. 

‘If Liverpool turn up at the Etihad and play like they did in the first-half, that will be the end of that.’

Fellow pundit Graeme Souness, however, hit back at Merson’s comments by insisting his money would be on the Reds to now be crowned Premier League champions.  

Fellow pundit Graeme Souness (pictured) hit back at Merson’s comments as he is backing Liverpool to win the league title

‘I don’t gamble, but if you asked me to put some money on it, it would be Liverpool. 

‘I think playing at Liverpool, they’re a more forgiving crowd than anywhere else they won’t get nervous, they won’t get frustrated. 

‘I just think the momentum is with them. They’re a group of players that don’t have to be at their best to win games because they have so much firepower.’