Former Arsenal midfielder, Paul Merson has said that Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool this Saturday will be a “cup final” for the Premier League champions.
City are eight points behind table toppers Arsenal going into the match at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s men host the Reds in the early kick-off after the international break, before the Gunners welcome Leeds United to the Emirates.
“This is a cup final for Manchester City. A win and the gap is five points again and the pressure is back on Arsenal, who have some tricky games still to play.
“A draw for City and an Arsenal win against Leeds would take the gap to 10 points and that is too far.
“That is a gap where you well and truly start to think it might be over,” Merson told Sky Sports.