Paul Merson hopes Liverpool season does not fizzle out against Newcastle

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The Reds are a point behind Man City in the Premier League title race with two games left and 3-0 down to Barcelona in the Champions League after the first leg.

Sky Sports pundit and Arsenal legend Paul Merson has expressed his fears over what could happen to Liverpool’s season this weekend.

The Reds have been impressive all season, remaining in the Premier League title race against an impressive Manchester City side and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

However, for all of Liverpool’s superb efforts in the league, Pep Guardiola’s charges have remained virtually as dominant as they were in last season’s record-breaking title-winning efforts.

With just two fixtures left, the Citizens remain a point ahead and with their destiny in their own hands, while Jurgen Klopp’s side must win both and hope their rivals slip up.

Likewise, Liverpool face a mountain to climb in the Champions League, having lost 3-0 to Barcelona at Camp Nou in their semi-final first leg – once again, the odds are very much against the Reds.

On Saturday, Liverpool take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the day’s late kickoff, which means iconic former manager Rafael Benitez could be the one to effectively kill off the Reds’ season for good.

“You hope Liverpool win, you really do,” Merson told Sky Sports News. “Because otherwise you look at it and the fact they lost 3-0 at Barcelona, and if they draw here their season’s fizzled out in four days. I think they’ll win, the other night they just came up against an extraordinary club.

“They don’t deserve their season to fizzle out. They should at least take it to the last day. Newcastle will make it a long night for them, they’re used to being tight, they don’t have to entertain, their fans know what they’re like, they’ll make it hard and it’ll be a tough one.”

Man City are in action on Monday night when they host Leicester City, a team that has beaten them three times in the last six Premier League games (11v11).